Red sanders smuggling comes down in Andhra Pradesh

VIJAYAWADA: Red sanders smuggling, which was to the tune of Rs 3,300 crores in 2011-14, was reduced to about Rs 100 cores this year due to initiation of several measures, including setting up of task force of forest, police and revenue officials to curb smuggling activities.

As many as 496 smugglers, including nine international smugglers, were arrested by the police this year, according to a release issued by the state Information and Public Relations department.

The police also seized 73.99 tons of red sanders and 73 vehicles from smugglers, the release said.

In the last 15 years, red sanders worth about Rs 25,000 crores was smuggled to foreign countries, it added.

Red sanders, also known as red sandalwood, is a valuable wood which has a huge demand overseas, particularly in China, Japan and East Asia where it is used for making cosmetic products, furniture, musical instruments and is even used in traditional medicines.

Red sanders grow mainly in Seshachalam hill ranges spread across Kadapa, Chittoor and Kurnool in the Rayalaseema region and parts of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, though majority of its smuggling takes place in Chittoor and Kadapa.

From last year, the state police has intensified its crackdown on smuggling of red sanders.