Fresh tranche takes biodiversity-linked benefit sharing for the rare timber species past Rs 110 crore, backing forest protection, farmers and new plantations

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released Rs 39.84 crore to Andhra Pradesh to bolster conservation of the rare and highly valued Red Sanders, pushing India’s biodiversity-linked Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) disbursements for the species beyond Rs 110 crore.

Of the latest amount, Rs 38.36 crore has been transferred to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and Rs 1.48 crore to the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board. The funds are drawn from Rs 87.68 crore generated through regulated access to auctioned or seized Red Sanders wood by the state forest department as benefit-sharing proceeds.

Red Sanders, known worldwide for its deep red timber, grows naturally only in select pockets of the Eastern Ghats, particularly in Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Prakasam and Kurnool districts. The species is both ecologically significant and commercially coveted and has long been vulnerable to illegal felling and smuggling.

According to the NBA, over Rs 49 crore has already been channelled to forest departments in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha, and to the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board, for Red Sanders protection, conservation and research. In addition, Rs 3 crore has been distributed to 198 farmers in Andhra Pradesh and Rs 55 lakh to 18 farmers in Tamil Nadu, reflecting an effort to reward cultivators and local custodians.

The latest release to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department is aimed at strengthening frontline protection, improving scientific management of Red Sanders forests, supporting livelihood activities through Biodiversity Management Committees and reinforcing long-term monitoring programmes.

Separately, the NBA has approved a scheme to raise one lakh Red Sanders saplings through the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board at a cost of Rs 2 crore. The remaining Rs 1.48 crore for this initiative has now been released. The saplings will be supplied to farmers under Trees Outside Forests efforts, helping to conserve the species beyond its natural range and demonstrating how ABS can deliver tangible benefits to communities and biodiversity alike.