ENA State 2026-01-02 15:50:00 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Amaravati, Jan 2 (KNN) </strong>The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has disbursed Rs 45 lakh to Red Sanders farmers in Andhra Pradesh under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism, through the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">With this release, the cumulative ABS disbursements in India have crossed Rs 143.5 crore.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The disbursement highlights the economic model available to Red Sanders cultivators, who receive income through the regulated sale of cultivated Red Sanders wood and additional monetary benefits under the ABS provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The mechanism links conservation and sustainable use of the endemic species with direct financial returns to farmers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">According to the NBA, more than Rs 104 crore has been released to Andhra Pradesh so far for Red Sanders conservation, protection and benefit-sharing, while over Rs 15 crore has been disbursed to other states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">In the past three months alone, ABS payments amounting to Rs 5.35 crore have been released to over 220 Red Sanders farmers across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The ABS framework is designed to ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources, while promoting sustainable utilisation practices. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">By providing structured financial incentives, the framework aims to discourage illegal trade and over-exploitation of Red Sanders and support regulated cultivation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The NBA stated that continued ABS disbursements are intended to support conservation outcomes, scientific research and the socio-economic development of farming communities. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The approach seeks to balance long-term conservation of Red Sanders with livelihood support, contributing to Indias broader biodiversity conservation objectives.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span><br /> </p> 44636 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/state/red-sanders-farmers-receive-rs-45-lakh-in-andhra-pradesh-as-nba-strengthens-abs-framework 2026-01-02 15:50:00 knnindia.co.in