Red Sanders

Red Sanders

News: Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) has fallen back into the ‘endangered’ category in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.

About Red Sanders
• The species, Pterocarpus santalinus, is an Indian endemic tree species, with a restricted geographical range in the Eastern Ghats.It is endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Andhra Pradesh.
• It is mainly found in Chittoor, Kadapa, Nandhyal, Nellore, Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• It was classified as ‘near threatened’ in 2018 and has now joined the ‘endangered’ list once again in 2021.
• It is listed under Appendix II of CITES and is banned from international trade.
• The Union Environment Ministry had decided to keep Red Sanders (red sandalwood) OUT of the Schedule VI of Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, arguing that this would discourage the cultivation of the rare plant species.Schedule VI regulates and restricts the cultivation, possession, and sale of a rare plant species.
• It was a moment of celebration when the species was lifted off from the endangered category for the first time since 1997.Over the last three generations, the species has experienced a population decline of 50-80 percent.It is also scheduled in appendix II of the CITES and Wildlife Protection Act.

Threats:
• Red Sanders are known for their rich hue and therapeutic properties, are high in demand across Asia, particularly in China and Japan.They are used in cosmetics and medicinal products as well as for making furniture, woodcraft and musical instruments.
• Its popularity can be gauged from the fact that a tonne of Red Sanders costs anything between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore in the international market.