The red sandalwood in the Seshachalam forests is not only a rare tree, but also a natural source of income. The demand for this wood is well known both in the country and abroad.
–Galla S Kiran Kumar, Bureau ChiefOver seven thousand tons of stocks in godowns,
restrictions on auction lifted with ‘Cytis’ decision
Stocks at the Central Red Sandalwood Godown in Tirupati
Tirupati (Jivakona), News Today: The red sandalwood in the Seshachalam forests is not only a rare tree, but also a natural source of income. The demand for this wood in the country and abroad is known. While smugglers are selling it secretly and earning crores of rupees, the governments are not generating that much income through official sales. The TDP government made great efforts in 2014 to make red sandalwood a source of income for the state. It built a special central red sandalwood warehouse near Thimminaidupalem in Tirupati. It made arrangements to bring logs seized from smugglers anywhere in the world here. It divided them according to grades and stored them. It sent special teams from the AP Forest Department to countries like China, Japan, Germany and other countries where there is demand and marketed them. It organized global tenders after knowing the needs there. In September 2018, it generated revenue by selling a maximum of five thousand tonnes of A and B grade red sandalwood. In 2020, the YSRCP government was able to sell only 300 tonnes out of 4,343 tonnes, and another 450 tonnes in the next three years.
Price Determination Committee Officer, PCCF RK Suman, and staff checking the weight of logs in October.
Tenders for 1,000 tons soon
Currently, there are more than 7,000 tons of stocks in the godowns, including the buffer stock. As part of the sales, the state government is preparing for the 20th global tenders. Efforts are underway to hold an auction for about a thousand tons of logs soon. In October, a committee headed by PCCF RK Suman examined the logs in 50 lots in the godowns and divided them into grades. Their color was recorded. The price of A grade per ton is Rs. 65 lakh to Rs. 75 lakh, B grade Rs. 36 lakh, C grade Rs. 20 lakh, N grade Rs. 7 lakh, and powder, chips and roots are priced at Rs. 60 thousand per ton. All that remains is to hold the tenders.
The decision of the Cites as a gift
Until two years ago, the red sandalwood tree was on the list of endangered species (CITES). According to the international agreement ‘CITES’, which aims to protect the survival of plant and animal species on this list, there are restrictions on their trade. Only value-added goods were freely traded. Until recently, there were many restrictions on the auction of red sandalwood. Since there is no problem now, the government has been able to hold the auction.
We will not ignore red sandalwood smuggling: CM
Eenadu, Amaravati: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that he will not ignore the illegal trafficking of red sandalwood. He warned on Wednesday that those who try to exploit the natural resources of the state will have to face severe consequences. He appreciated the efforts of the Tirupati Red Sandalwood Anti-Task Force to curb illegal activities.
