RED SANDALWOOD

Subject : Environment

Context : The India Customs intercepted an 18-tonne shipment of red sandalwood destined for the United Arab Emirates, during a month-long “Operation Thunder 2020”, coordinated by the Interpol and the World Customs Organisation.

Concept :

• Pterocarpus santalinus or Red Sanders is an endemic tree of South India
• They are found in Tropical Dry Deciduous forest of the Palakonda and Seshachalam hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh and also found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• Red Sanders usually grow in the rocky, degraded and fallow lands with Red Soil and hot and dry climate.
• IUCN has put it under the category of endangered species in the Red List due to the dwindling population because of illegal felling and smuggling.
• Its export is banned in India in accordance with the CITES and Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• It is used for various purposes such as immunity medicine, furniture, radiation absorbent, musical instrument, food dyes and spices, Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, decorative and ornamental purposes etc.