Red Sandalwood Being Smuggled

Several inter-state gangs are actively involved in the smuggling of red sandalwood from the forests of Andhra Pradesh.

This was disclosed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Hitesh Malhotra in an informal chat with reporters on Friday.

He said that the department has seized 1,265 tonnes of red sandal worth hundreds of crores from several inter-state gangs in the last one year.

As many as 1,424 cases have been registered against 2,454 people who have been arrested. Of them, almost 10% have been booked under the PD Act, and they are lodged in the Cherlapally Central Prison, he said.

The department has also seized 887 vehicles during various raids.

Malhotra said that red sandalwood, which cost about Rs. 2,000 - Rs. 2500 per kg, was in great demand in the international market. Hence, several inter-state gangs, especially those based in Tamil Nadu, are actively involved in smuggling of the sandalwood, he said.

He said that the department has suspended 8 officials in Kadapa for their alleged links with the smugglers, and that a similar enquiry has been ordered in Tirupati.

Additional Principal CCF (Vigilance) Murali Krishna was also present during the press conference, which was primarily organised to brief the media about recruitments in the Forest Department.

Malhotra said that there was no proposal to shift Nehru Zoological Park from the city to any other place. Further, he said that the proposal to set up a night safari park at Kothaguda, in the city's outskirts, was under the active consideration of the state government. (INN)