New Delhi : Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the Environment and Forests portfolio, met with Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi on Wednesday to request the Centre’s support in appointing the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department (APFD) as the nodal agency for the sale and export of Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood).
During the meeting, Pawan Kalyan discussed several key issues related to the conservation and management of Red Sanders, a highly sought-after wood that grows predominantly in the forests of Andhra Pradesh. The wood is in high demand internationally for its use in traditional medicine, woodcraft, and even in the food and beverage industry, particularly in coloring products like alcoholic drinks and pharmaceuticals.
Pawan Kalyan specifically sought the implementation of the recommendation from the Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) report, which advocates for the APFD to be designated as the official agency responsible for managing the auctioning of seized Red Sanders wood. He emphasized the importance of formalizing the APFD’s role in the legal sale and export of the wood, while also calling for steps to ensure uniform grading and better revenue generation from the trade.
“Red Sanders has immense economic potential for our state, and it is essential that the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department be empowered to manage its trade effectively,” Pawan Kalyan said. “We also need to focus on sustainable conservation practices to protect this rare resource while meeting global demand.”
The Deputy CM further urged the Centre to assist in the repatriation of seized Red Sanders and work towards curbing the rampant smuggling of the wood, particularly in the Rayalaseema region, which borders Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This area has long been notorious for the illegal trade of Red Sanders, a practice that has been depicted in popular culture, notably in the 2021 film Pushpa: The Rise, which explored the violent smuggling of the wood.
In addition to his discussion with Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Pawan Kalyan also recalled his recent meeting with Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre, in which they discussed the repatriation of Red Sanders worth ₹140 crore that had been seized by Karnataka Forest officials. The Deputy CM expressed gratitude towards Karnataka’s forest officials for their honesty in confirming that the seized wood belonged to Andhra Pradesh. The seizures included ₹100 crore worth of Red Sanders in 2017, and ₹40 crore worth this year.
Red Sanders, which is primarily found in the Seshachalam, Veligonda, Lankamala, and Palakonda hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh, has historically been a target for illegal trade due to its high value. The wood is heavily trafficked to countries such as China, Japan, and Myanmar, where it is used in various traditional applications, including herbal medicines, and in the woodcraft industry.
In 2023, a significant breakthrough occurred when India received international approval to legalize the trade of Red Sanders grown on private plantations, a decision that had been pending for nearly two decades. The move, sanctioned by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has opened a legal trade route and is expected to help reduce smuggling to countries like Japan, China, and some European nations.
CITES removed India from the “Review of Significant Trade” list for Red Sanders, marking a milestone that allows India to promote private Red Sanders plantations, formalize exports, and conserve the naturally growing species.
Pawan Kalyan thanked Minister Bhupender Yadav for his time and support and expressed hope for continued cooperation between the Centre and the state government to achieve common environmental goals. “I appreciate the Minister’s valuable cooperation, and we look forward to his continued support in protecting our forests and promoting sustainable trade,” he added.
With the global demand for Red Sanders showing no signs of slowing down, and with the recent legal breakthroughs, Andhra Pradesh is poised to benefit from the growing market. However, the challenge remains to balance economic interests with conservation efforts to ensure the species is preserved for future generations.