Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan , who also holds the portfolio of Environment and Forest on Saturday announced a comprehensive strategy to eradicate red sanders smuggling, emphasizing the tree's immense ecological, spiritual, and economic value to the state. Chairing a teleconference review with senior forest department officials, he directed the formulation of a robust plan to ensure not a single log escapes the Seshachalam forests illegally.

He ordered the creation of special teams under police and forest officials to bring smuggling kingpins to justice. Highlighting the need to address ground-level involvement, he stressed identifying laborers, masons, supervisors, and warehouse keepers, providing them legal awareness, counseling and alternative employment opportunities. The Deputy Chief Minister revived the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force, originally established in 2015 under the then Telugu Desam Party government.

An IG-level officer was appointed to head it, with dedicated teams of forest and police personnel. However, after the government change in 2019, the task force was systematically weakened, leading to widespread smuggling. Between 2019 and 2024, lakhs of trees were felled illegally. During a recent visit to Tirupati, he inspected eight godowns containing 2,63,267 seized red sanders logs, indicating the felling of approximately 2 lakh trees based on recovered stock alone. 

Central Assistance in Recovering Seized Stock

Pawan Kalyan criticized the previous YSRCP regime for neglecting interstate agreements, resulting in failure to repatriate seized red sanders. A recent disclosure from Karnataka about seizing and auctioning ₹140 crore worth of the wood prompted action. Following discussions with Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav, the Centre issued orders ensuring any red sanders smuggled from Andhra Pradesh and seized nationwide belongs to the state. Recent recoveries include 5 tonnes in Gujarat, 7 tonnes in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, 6 tonnes in Karnataka, and 10 tonnes in Delhi. Post the coalition government's formation, efforts began to repatriate 173 tonnes from Nepal. 

Additionally, 407 metric tonnes seized in various states between 2019 and 2024 are being pursued for return.Stressing coordination, Kalyan said technology alone is insufficient without staff commitment. "Deploy thermal drones for surveillance at entry-exit points prone to smuggling. Install CCTV cameras at forest check posts for round-the-clock monitoring. Erect new barricades, intensify patrolling from base camps and watchtowers," he directed. Forest officials have been instructed to treat red sanders conservation as a resolute pledge, with all systems working in synergy to dismantle smuggling networks.