For years, red sanders, a rare wood grown in the forests of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, was smuggled to countries like Japan.

In recent months, the smuggling and sale grew manifold. Instances of police and customs seizing consignments apart, arrests and shootouts also ensured in the forest areas.

E-auction In a bid to stem this and generate revenues, the newly formed government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to take the e-route to auction several lots. The Government has notified that about 4,160 tonnes of graded red sanders wood will be sold by an e-tender-cum-e-auction through MSTC Ltd during September 19 to 26, in the first phase of auction.

Announcing this decision, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, AV Joseph, told newspersons that the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the EXIM Policy permitted the export of red sanders wood in log form. The starting price is fixed at ₹7 lakhs per tonne for non-grade, ₹8 lakh , for C grade, ₹10 lakh, for B grade and ₹12 lakh for A grade, as recommended by the tender committee. Intending participants of the auction or their representatives can inspect the lots notified during working days between August 11 and September 17.

The wood is stored in the depots located at Kadapa, Bhakarapet, Tirupati, Udayagiri, Kanigiri, Adurupally and Venkatagiri. The DGFT, under the Ministry of Commerce, has accorded permission to the Andhra Pradesh Government to export about 8,584 tonnes of confiscated/seized red sanders wood stock available with the Government.

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