New Delhi, Nov 4 (NationPress) In a significant effort to encourage the sustainable utilization of biological resources, the National Biodiversity Authority has allocated Rs 3 crore to 199 beneficiaries, which includes 198 farmers from Andhra Pradesh engaged in the cultivation of Red Sanders, an official announced on Tuesday.

The funds were provided under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Framework, aimed at offering financial aid to resource providers and ensuring the long-term conservation of Red Sanders.

This recent fund release also extends support to an academic institution, the University of Andhra, as per the official's statement.

The disbursement is facilitated through the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board and is part of the Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism established under the Biological Diversity Act.

This initiative builds upon various benefit-sharing measures previously implemented by the NBA to foster inclusive biodiversity conservation.

Previously, the NBA had granted Rs 48 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, Karnataka Forest Department, and the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board for the protection and conservation of Red Sanders, in addition to Rs 55 lakh to farmers in Tamil Nadu.

Under this current disbursement, each farmer will receive an amount ranging from Rs 33,000 to Rs 22 lakh, depending on the volume of cultivated Red Sanders wood supplied to the users.

Importantly, it was noted that beneficiaries are receiving amounts that exceed the sale value of the wood, the statement highlighted.

The beneficiaries hail from 48 villages across four districts in Andhra Pradesh: Chittoor, Nellore, Tirupati, and Cuddapah.

The NBA's initiative showcases the extensive involvement of local farming communities in cultivating and conserving this highly prized endemic species.

This initiative stems from the recommendations made by the Expert Committee on Red Sanders, established by the NBA in 2015, which formulated a comprehensive policy titled 'Policy for Conservation, Sustainable Use, and Fair and Equitable Benefit Sharing Arising from the Utilisation of Red Sanders'.

A significant outcome of the Committee's efforts was the 2019 policy relaxation by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which permitted the export of Red Sanders from cultivated sources, marking a pivotal advancement in promoting legal and sustainable trade.

This illustrates how policy tools like ABS can transform biodiversity conservation into a sustainable livelihood opportunity. This benefit-sharing initiative reinforces the NBA's dedication to linking biodiversity conservation with livelihood enhancement, amplifying community participation and ensuring that biodiversity custodians receive their deserved benefits.