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New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) The National Biodiversity Authority has released Rs 38.36 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and Rs 1.48 crore to the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board for the protection and conservation of the iconic Red Sanders. An official gave this information on Friday.
With this fund release aimed at boosting biodiversity conservation efforts, the total access and benefit sharing disbursement in the country has crossed Rs 110 crore, the official said in a statement.
Red Sanders, famous worldwide for its deep red wood, grows naturally only in selected areas of the Eastern Ghats, especially in the districts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Prakasam and Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh.
An amount of Rs 87.68 crore was generated through regulated access to red sanders wood auctioned or seized by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department as profit-sharing amount.
So far, the NBA has released more than Rs 49 crore to the forest departments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha and the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board for red sanders conservation, protection and research, the official statement said.
Additionally, Rs 3 crore has been distributed to 198 farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Rs 55 lakh has been distributed to 18 farmers in Tamil Nadu.
The statement said the current release of Rs 38.36 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department will further empower frontline forest staff, enhance security measures, encourage scientific management of red sanders forests, create livelihood opportunities through Biodiversity Management Committees and strengthen the long-term monitoring programme, which is an important step towards securing a vibrant future for this iconic species.
Apart from this, the NBA has also approved a major initiative by Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board to grow one lakh Red Sanders saplings at a cost of Rs 2 crore.
The initial amount had already been released, and the remaining Rs 1.48 crore has now been transferred to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board. These saplings will later be supplied to farmers, the statement said, thereby promoting the Trees Outside Forests (TOF) program and helping conserve this rare species outside its natural habitat.
This initiative shows how access and benefit sharing can directly support India’s achievements by highlighting leadership in operationalizing global biodiversity principles, ensuring that conservation benefits reach local communities, farmers and biodiversity custodians.
The statement said the NBA will continue to work with state biodiversity boards, forest departments, biodiversity management committees and local stakeholders to protect India’s rich biological heritage for future generations.
–IANS
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