A 5 lakh hectares area in Andhra Pradesh, is the only place in the world where one can find the fragrant red-coloured timber known as red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus). While the tree also called red sandalwood has long been named endangered, illegal felling is making the forest disappear every day.
Smugglers of this rare wood it seems device new plans every day to fell more and more of the trees by dodging the authorities.
What’s more, about 7,000 tonnes of the seized red sanders log that the officials have been able to rescue from smugglers are piled up in state godowns. Some reports say that most of the contraband item caught has fetched crores of rupees to the Andhra Pradesh state government.
As per PTI news, ‘According to a report, the latest auction of red sanders itself has earned the state government about Rs 55 crore with the companies from Singapore , Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates emerging as the highest bidders in the auction.’
The tree was once found all over the Nallamalla forest of the region but is now confined to only areas around Kadapa, Chittooe and Nellore. The smuggling of this timber fetches high prices especially from places like China and Japan where red timber furniture and musical instruments are status symbols. In India it is used to make a dye.
For a smuggler, one ton of red sanders can easily fetch him anywhere between Rs. 8 to 10 lakh.
Indian government has made felling of the trees illegal and banned export of the timber. Even private farms are not allowed to cut or sell the tree without permission. It is also protected under the Red Sanders and Sandalwood Transit Rules of Andhra Pradesh Forest Act, 1967 and international trade is controlled through the listing of Pterocarpus santalinus in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
According to TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, smugglers conceal the timber in shipments like jute bags, mustard oil cake, even salt. They also mis- declare their goods to hide the timber.
“We are seeing several changes to the nature and scale of the illicit trade in the prized woods. For example logs are being transported via different routes overland and are being shipped to the Middle East,” says Samir Sinha, head, Traffic India, which is involved in keeping track on wildlife crime.
Smoothly operating in the dark forests, with definite connections and involvement of officials the smugglers are looting the natural treasure every day.
“It is evident from the spate of seizures that Red Sanders smugglers are operating on a massive scale backed by highly organised international racket,” Sinha adds stressing on strict vigilance along the borders .
It will be another sad ending for an exclusive Indian plant species if fists are not tightened against the criminals.
-Atula Gupta
Article reference: IndianExpress, PTI, TRAFFIC
Related Stories:
Villagers save Forest from Lime Kiln Owner
Karnataka Launches Major Afforestation scheme
Nice to have website only for Endangered.
I feel that there should be facilitation to improve the supply of endangered by means of private cultivation and total protection from the forest.
If there is no supply, then it will be a Himalayan task to protect the forest.
Like once, as far as I know, farmers remove sandal plants from their farm, since govt had lot of restrictions. Now, govt gives subsidy to grow. Both are unwarranted.
In a single line, Forest should be protected 100% and all the industrial , medicinal needs of plants should be available from private cultivation, by facilitation.
we can all do what we can to improve the scenario for endangered species in India. great to know about your own contributution ganesan ji. Do keep up the good work.