Centre sanctions Rs 82 lakh for conservation of Red Sanders in Andhra

New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI) The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) under the Environment Ministry has sanctioned Rs 82 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board for conservation of Red Sanders, a highly valued and endemic tree species of the Eastern Ghats.

The amount will be used to raise one lakh saplings of Red Sanders, which will be supplied to farmers under the Trees Outside Forests programme, the ministry said in a statement.

The funds have been released under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which ensures that benefits from use of biological resources are shared with local communities and Biodiversity Management Committees.

The money has been collected from users of Red Sanders and channelled back for conservation, the ministry said.

Red Sanders, native to Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool districts, is under severe threat due to its high commercial value and rampant smuggling. The species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and listed in CITES, which regulates international trade.

The ministry said the initiative will involve local and tribal communities in nursery development, plantation and care of saplings, creating employment and enhancing conservation efforts.

So far, the NBA has released over Rs 31.55 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department for conservation and protection of Red Sanders. The latest release is expected to strengthen grassroots-level action and support India's biodiversity targets, the statement said. PTI GVS KVK KVK