China agrees to crackdown on smuggling of red sanders from Andhra Pradesh

Beijing: In a breakthrough, China, the largest importer of red sanders wood on Tuesday agreed to help India crackdown on the smuggling of the expensive timber from Andhra Pradesh.

China is the biggest importer of the red sanders wood and is regarded as the most unique and expensive which is only available in Andhra Pradesh,AK Parida, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Forest, Science and Technology who held talks with the Chinese officials told reporters.

"We are very happy to get a positive response from China to crackdown on the smuggling of red sanders wood. The modalities will be finalised at a meeting of various official agencies from China and Andhra Pradesh January 28," he said.

Deputy Ambassador of India to China Bala Bhaskar, who took part in the negotiations with Chinese officials along with Andhra delegation said it is a breakthrough in curbing smuggling as much of the precious wood which is not grown anywhere in the world except in Andhra Pradesh and is only exported to China.

China is the only country where the wood is on high demand as people regard the furniture made out of it as the most auspicious and lucky.

The Andhra officials said smuggling of the exclusive wood has reached dangerous proportions despite heavy security provided by the state.

Since the smuggled wood is supplied only to China, any crackdown by Beijing will have a major impact on smugglers, Parida said.

He said he found a sofa made out of red sanders wood is sold for Rs 6 crores and a bed for Rs 8 crores in China. The demand in China is as high 4,000 tonnes a year.

China's crackdown will help to protect the exclusive forests spanning Chithoor, Kadapa and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh, he said.

China has bought 2,100 tonnes of red sanders in the last auction and is expected to bag the most of the 6,000 tonnes to be auctioned in two stages starting from next month. Most of the Chinese take part in the global e-auction. Parida along with SBL, Mishra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Andhra Pradesh met

Chinese officials and buyers and interacted with them about the auction process and steps to be taken for legal marketing of red sanders.

Andhra Pradesh which is struggling for funds after the separation of Telangana is looking forward to red sanders wood to improve its finances.

The state has about 12,000 tonnes of seized wood and looks to make out about Rs 1,000 crore a year from global auctions.