National Biodiversity Authority releases ₹55 lakh to Red Sanders farmers in Tamil Nadu under benefit sharing
The National Biodiversity Authority said on 28 October 2025 that it has released ₹55 lakh to 18 Red Sanders farmers in Tamil Nadu under the Access and Benefit Sharing framework, the first such payout to cultivators.
Summary
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) said on 28 October 2025 that it has released ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers and cultivators of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) from 8 villages in Tamil Nadu, through the State Biodiversity Board, under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. It is the first benefit-sharing payout of its kind to farmers and builds on NBA's earlier ABS release of ₹48 crore to the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka forest departments and the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board. The step follows the recommendations of an Expert Committee on Red Sanders that NBA set up in 2015. Red Sanders is endemic to the Eastern Ghats and found naturally only in Andhra Pradesh, though it is also cultivated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha and other states.
Key facts
- Announced
- 28 Oct 2025, NBA
- Payout
- ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers from 8 villages, Tamil Nadu
- Framework
- Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), via State Biodiversity Board
- First
- First-of-its-kind ABS payout to cultivators
- Earlier
- ₹48 crore ABS to AP and Karnataka forest depts and AP Biodiversity Board
- Species
- Pterocarpus santalinus; endemic to Eastern Ghats, found in AP alone
- Expert Committee
- Constituted by NBA in 2015
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How much did the National Biodiversity Authority release to Red Sanders farmers in Tamil Nadu under the Access and Benefit Sharing framework in October 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers
PIB: NBA released ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers/cultivators of Red Sanders in Tamil Nadu through the State Biodiversity Board.
What is the scientific name of Red Sanders?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Pterocarpus santalinus
PIB refers to Red Sanders as Pterocarpus santalinus.
According to the National Biodiversity Authority, Red Sanders is endemic to the Eastern Ghats and found naturally in which state alone?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Andhra Pradesh
PIB: Red Sanders, an endemic species to the Eastern Ghats, is found in Andhra Pradesh alone; it is cultivated in other states too.