Forest department to sell seized red sanders

HYDERABAD: Clueless as to where to keep the stock of 7,000 tonne of red sander logs seized from smugglers during the last 10 years, the AP forest department has come up with the idea of selling the wood in the international market and sought permission from the ministry of Environment and Forests.
"We recently sent a letter to the minister of environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh for permission to sell the wood as it has great demand in Asian and some European countries," said B Murali Krishna, additional principal chief conservator of forests. The wood is mostly available in south India and in Andhra Pradesh it is mainly found in Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore and Kurnool. In India it is mainly used in making handicrafts but in other nations it is used for making furniture and gift items. Murali Krishna said he is very optimistic the ministry would give permission. "One tonne of red sander wood is sold for about Rs20 lakh in the international market. If the ministry gives permission, it will fetch good revenue for the state. Moreover we can curb smuggling too," he said.The state forest department seized 958 tonnes of red sander in the last eight months alone, booked 1,078 cases and arrested 1,857 persons involved in smuggling, mostly from Tamil Nadu. "As labourers from the state are fearful of working for red sander smugglers, the smuggling groups are hiring workers from Tamil Nadu," Murali Krishna said.