National Biodiversity Authority Sanctions ₹82 Lakh for Red Sanders Conservation

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), headquartered in Chennai, has sanctioned ₹82 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board for the conservation of the endemic plant species Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus).

Sapling Distribution Initiative

Under this initiative, one lakh Red Sanders saplings will be raised and later distributed to farmers, contributing to the Trees Outside Forests (ToF) programme. The move is expected to not only aid conservation but also encourage community participation in protecting this rare species.

Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Mechanism

The sanction demonstrates the use of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (amended in 2023).

• ABS regulates access to biological resources.
• It ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits with stakeholders, including local communities, individuals, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs).

Ecological and Cultural Significance of Red Sanders

• Native Range: Southern Eastern Ghats, especially the districts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.
• Threats: Rampant smuggling due to its high commercial value.
• Legal Protection:
  • Listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • Included in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which strictly regulates its international trade.