ENA State 2025-10-28 15:27:39 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Chennai, Oct 28 (KNN)</strong> Under Indias Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released Rs 55 lakh to 18 farmers cultivating red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) in Tamil Nadus Tiruvallur district. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The funds were disbursed through the Tamil Nadu State Biodiversity Board to cultivators from eight villages &mdash; Kannabhiran Nagar, Kothur, Vembedu, Siruniyum, Goonipalayam, Ammambakkam, Alikuzhi, and Thimmaboopola Puram.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Said to be the first-of-its-kind, this benefit-sharing initiative for red sanders cultivators marks a significant step toward inclusive biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of biological resources.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">It follows the NBAs earlier disbursement of Rs 48 crore to the forest departments and biodiversity boards of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for Red Sanders protection and conservation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The initiative is based on recommendations from an Expert Committee on Red Sanders constituted by the NBA in 2015, which developed a policy framework titled Policy for Conservation, Sustainable Use and Fair and Equitable Benefit Sharing Arising from the Utilisation of Red Sanders. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">One of the key outcomes of these recommendations was the 2019 relaxation by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) allowing exports of Red Sanders from cultivated sources &mdash; a measure aimed at promoting legal, sustainable trade and farm-based conservation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Red Sanders, an endemic species native to the Eastern Ghats, holds ecological, economic, and cultural significance. While naturally found in Andhra Pradesh, it is also cultivated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and other states. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Encouraging cultivation-based production supports farmers livelihoods and helps meet market demand through legally sourced timber, thereby reducing pressure on wild populations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The NBA stated that the benefit-sharing model strengthens community participation in biodiversity conservation while ensuring equitable distribution of gains.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px">(KNN Bureau)</span></strong></em></p> 43901 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/state/rs-55-lakh-disbursed-to-tamil-nadu-farmers-cultivating-red-sanders-under-abs-framework 2025-10-28 15:27:39 knnindia.co.in