Red Sandalwood
Published on 11 Apr 2025
- Several smugglers in Andhra Pradesh were arrested for illegally carrying Red Sandalwood logs worth crores.
- Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) or red sanders are an Indian endemic species native to the Seshachalam, Veligonda, Lankamalla, and Palkonda hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh.
- It is also found in parts of Sri Lanka, China, and various Indian states.
- It is a very slow-growing tree species that attains maturity in natural forests after 25-40 years.
- It regenerates well in dry hot climates.
- ‘Santalin’ is a natural dye obtained from its heartwood and is used in pharmaceutical preparations, food articles, leather, and textile industries
- It is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, included in Schedule IV of The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
- India’s foreign trade policy prohibits the import of red sandalwood and restricts its export.
- It is listed in Appendix II under CITES since 1994.
