India’s National Biodiversity Authority has approved ₹82 lakh ($98,000) to conserve Red Sanders in Andhra Pradesh, channeling funds under its Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism.
The Chennai-based authority said the funding will help raise one lakh saplings of Red Sanders, a rare tree species endemic to southern India. These saplings will be supplied to farmers as part of the Trees Outside Forests program, expanding conservation efforts and biodiversity beyond protected areas.
Red Sanders, also known as Pterocarpus Santalinus, is found mainly in Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. Its high commercial value has fueled rampant smuggling, placing the species under severe threat.
Community-Centered Approach
The sanctioned funds come from benefit-sharing amounts collected from Red Sanders users. Unlike sale proceeds, this allocation is reinvested into conservation, with a focus on grassroots-level involvement.
Local communities, including tribal groups and biodiversity management committees, will play a central role in the effort. They will engage in nursery development, plantation and long-term care of saplings, creating jobs, building skills and strengthening local stewardship.
Legal and Global Commitments
The initiative highlights the implementation of India’s updated Biological Diversity Act, amended in 2023, which ensures equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources. The ABS framework links economic use with conservation and community benefit.
Red Sanders is protected under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which restricts its global trade.
The NBA has previously released more than ₹31.55 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department for Red Sanders conservation. The latest allocation will directly support field-level actions, rather than relying solely on departmental protection measures.
Reinforcing National Goals
Officials said the initiative aligns with India’s biodiversity targets and strengthens its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity. It also reflects a policy shift toward conservation as a community-driven activity, with ecological and economic gains.
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