NBA releases ₹14.88 crore Access and Benefit Sharing funds to Andhra Pradesh for Red Sanders
The National Biodiversity Authority released ₹14.88 crore as Access and Benefit Sharing funds to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department on 19 December 2025 for the conservation of Red Sanders, taking India's total ABS disbursements past ₹143 crore.
Summary
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released ₹14.88 crore (USD 1.65 million) as Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) funds to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department on 19 December 2025 for the protection, conservation, regeneration and research of Red Sanders. With the Andhra Pradesh release, India's cumulative ABS disbursements have crossed ₹143 crore, of which over ₹104 crore has gone to Andhra Pradesh for Red Sanders conservation and benefit claimers. Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is endemic to limited pockets of the Eastern Ghats, and the funds came from the auction of 1,115 tonnes of seized Red Sanders wood.
Key facts
- Date
- 19 December 2025
- Amount
- ₹14.88 crore (USD 1.65 million)
- Recipient
- Andhra Pradesh Forest Department
- Cumulative ABS
- Over ₹143 crore nationally; over ₹104 crore to Andhra Pradesh
- Species
- Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), endemic to the Eastern Ghats
- Source of funds
- Auction of 1,115 tonnes of seized Red Sanders wood
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The National Biodiversity Authority released ₹14.88 crore of Access and Benefit Sharing funds to Andhra Pradesh on 19 December 2025 for the conservation of which species?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Red Sanders
PIB 2206421: the funds are earmarked for the protection, conservation and research of Red Sanders.
Consider the following statements: 1. The scientific name of Red Sanders is Pterocarpus santalinus. 2. Red Sanders is endemic to limited pockets of the Western Ghats. 3. India's cumulative Access and Benefit Sharing disbursements have crossed ₹143 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2206421: Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is endemic to limited pockets of the Eastern Ghats, not the Western Ghats, and cumulative ABS disbursements have crossed ₹143 crore. Statement 2 is wrong.