RED SANDERS - ENVIRONMENT

News: UNEP-managed CITES database reveals red sanders smuggling

 

What's in the news?

       The CITES trade database has recorded 28 incidents of Red Sanders confiscation, seizure, and specimen from the wild being exported from India, a fact sheet prepared by TRAFFIC, a global wildlife trade monitoring organization has revealed.

 

Key takeaways:

       These consignments were exported to China (53.5%), Hong Kong (25.0%), Singapore (17.8%) and the United States of America (3.5%) from 2016 to 2020.

       According to the recently released communiqué titled “RED SANDERS: Factsheet on India’s Red Sanders in illegal wildlife trade”, China remains the largest importer with more than 13,618 tonnes of the products, followed by Hong Kong (5,215 tonnes) and Singapore (216 tonnes).


Red Sanders:

       Red Sanders Pterocarpus santalinus, or red sandalwood, is a very slow-growing tree species that attains maturity in natural forests after 25-40 years.

       It is reported to be one of India’s most exploited tree species.

 

Distribution:

       The tree species is found in thorny scrub, dry deciduous forests.

       It is endemic to the Eastern Ghats of India.

       It is endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Andhra Pradesh.

       Some contiguous patches in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka also see some wild growth.

 

Demand:

       Its heartwood is in demand in both domestic and international markets and is used to make furniture, musical instruments and wooden handicrafts.

       The red dye obtained from the wood is used as a colouring agent in textiles and medicines.

       A tonne of Red Sanders costs between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore in the international market.

 

Restriction:

       Under the foreign trade policy of India, the import of Red Sanders is prohibited, while export is restricted.

 

Threats:

       Illegal smuggling

       Over harvesting

       Invasive species.

 

Conservation Status:

       Listed under Schedule IV of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

       IUCN Red List - Endangered.

       Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES) - Appendix II and is banned from international trade.