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Mahesh

06/02/23 08:38 AM IST

About 20,000 tonnes of Red Sanders were smuggled from India between 2016 and 2020

In News
  • The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recorded 28 incidents of confiscation and seizure of more than 19,049 tonnes of Red Sanders logs.
Red Sanders
  • Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), also called Red Sandalwood, is a species found in the southern tropical dry deciduous forest of Andhra Pradesh (AP).
  • The tree is very slow growing. It takes 40 years to attain maturity.
  • The tree has high demand in the international market for its handicraft values.
  • Red sanders is found only in South India and in very few places in Australia.
  • The wood of the tree is highly expensive. 1 kg of Red Sandalwood costs Rs 5000.
  • In 10 years, the tree gives 500 kg of wood.
  • The species is listed as ‘Endangered’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and falls in Appendix II of CITES.
  • In India, it has been enlisted under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Major Findings
  • China remains the largest importer with more than 13,618 tonnes of the products, followed by Hong Kong at 5,215 tonnes and Singapore at 216 tonnes.
  • India reported an export of more than 19,049 tonnes of logs.
  • In comparison, the importing countries reported about 4,610 tonnes of logs, 127 tonnes of sawn wood, 20 tonnes of transformed wood and 980 kg of wood products.
  • Rampant illegal logging and smuggling of trees have been reported in Chittoor, YSR Kadappa, Nellore and Kurnool districts.
Source- DTE

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