The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) on Thursday released funds to the tune of ₹6.2 crore to five states to help them support the conservation of the endangered Red Sanders and strengthen livelihoods of farmers and forest-dependent communities, the Environment Ministry said.
The funds have been released under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism to state forest departments, state biodiversity boards and Red Sanders growers, who “continue to play a pivotal role in protecting this endemic and globally valued species”, the ministry added.
It said the funds will be used for frontline protection, enhanced patrolling and monitoring infrastructure, research-driven silvicultural practices, expansion of community-based livelihood programmes and improving the socio-economic resilience of Red Sanders growers.
Of the ₹6.2 crore, ₹17.8 lakh will go to farmers in Telangana and ₹1.1 crore to farmers in Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department will receive ₹2.98 crore, the Karnataka Forest Department ₹1.05 crore, the Maharashtra Forest Department ₹69.2 lakh and the Telangana Forest Department ₹5.8 lakh. Another ₹16 lakh will be shared among state biodiversity boards.
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With this tranche, ABS funds disbursed exclusively for the conservation of Red Sanders have crossed ₹101 crore since the mechanism was operationalized, while the total ABS disbursements by the NBA have crossed ₹127 crore, “reinforcing India’s global leadership in implementing fair and equitable benefit-sharing linked to biological resources”, the ministry said.
So far, 216 farmers, 198 in Andhra Pradesh and 18 in Tamil Nadu, have benefited from the support, along with the forest departments and state biodiversity boards of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
“The disbursement shows how ABS provisions under the Biological Diversity Act can transform conservation into a sustainable livelihood opportunity,” it further stated, adding that these actions underscore India’s leadership in applying ABS principles to practical, result-oriented efforts for ecological security and sustainable livelihoods.
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