Red Sanders Protection
Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is an endemic tree species to the forests of Seshachalam, Veligonda, Lankamala and Palakona Hills range of Andhra Pradesh and distributed in the districts of Kadapa, Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasham and Kurnool over an area of 5300.97 Sq.km. Good crop of Red Sanders can be seen in slopes.
| S.No. | Name of the Division | Name of the District | Geographical area ( in sq.km) | Forest area (in sq.km ) | Red sanders bearing area in (sq.km ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kadapa | Kadapa | 4110 | 1645 | 1286.64 |
| 2 | Proddatur | Kadapa | 7524 | 1720 | 929.1 |
| 3 | Rajampet | Kadapa | 3813.64 | 1228.83 | 848.03 |
| 4 | Nellore | Nellore | 13076 | 2791.38 | 671.17 |
| 5 | Tirupathi (WLM) | Chittoor | 1243.98 | 811.22 | 682.57 |
| 6 | Chittoor (East) | Chittoor | 2163.09 | 1925.93 | 407.55 |
| 7 | Giddalur and Markapur | Prakasam | 10408 | 1944.51 | 263.91 |
| 8 | Nandyal | Kurnool | 2599 | 1045 | 212 |
| Total | 44937.71 | 13111.87 | 5300.97 |
There is tremendous pressure of smuggling on Red Sanders forests due to its demand in the international market. There is rampant smuggling and felling of Red Sanders trees in the districts of Chittoor, Kadapa, Nellore & Kurnool. The Forest Department is taking varied protection measures viz as Establishment of Base camps, Striking force parties, Check posts at prominent locations, e-surveillance, Weapons distribution and weapon training to the field staff in RS areas (400 nos of 12 Bore action pump guns & 125 nos of 0.32 mm (MK-III) revolvers are distributed and the field staff are trained), implementation of PD Act against the smugglers, establishment of two special courts for speedy trial of the cases to prevent smuggling.
The Andhra Pradesh Forest (Amendment) Act, 2016 (A.P. Act No.15 of 2016) published in Extraordinary issue of the Andhra Pradesh Gazette No.15 , Part-IV B :
- A.P. Forest Act was amended by Gazette Notification 15, Part.IV-B dated.19.05.2016.
- It came into force by Gazette Notification dated.25.05.2016.(GO Ms.No.49, EFS&T (Sec.II) Dept, dt. 25.05.2016)
- All the Red Sanders Forest Offences are made Cognizable and Non-bailable.
- The Red Sanders, Sandalwood and Scheduled Trees are given Special status of protection.
- The punishments have been enhanced varying from 3 to 10 years with a penalty upto Rs.10 lakhs.
- The illegally acquired properties form sandalwood or Redsanders or schedule trees are liable for forfeiture.
(b) Red Sanders Anti- Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF)
In G.O.Ms.No.217, Finance (HR.I) Department, dt.25.11.2014, Government have issued orders for formation of Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF) and sanctioned 463 No of Posts in Police and Forest Department to control Red Sanders smuggling. RSASTF has been operationalized with the Task Force Police established at Tirupati . It is efficiently functioning to control organized RS smuggling.
Following is the sanctioned and working strength| S.No. | Department Posts | Sanctioned | Working strength | Vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Police Department | 85 | 53 | 32 |
| 2 | District Special Parties | 66 | 57 | 9 |
| 3 | APSP Platoons | 92 | 92 | 0 |
| 4 | Forest Department | 26 | 10 | 16 |
| 5 | Administrative &Ministerial Posts | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 6 | Other Posts (SPOs, HG, OS) | 188 | 55 | 133 |
| Total: | 463 | 272 | 191 |
The present Superintendent of Police (Non Cadre) is Sri G.Anjaneyulu, SP(NC). Office Land phone no.0877 2284000
As a part of Forest Protection, forest offences of entire State including Red sander offences and complaint petitions will be inquired with the assistance of (8) Flying Squad Divisions & (2) Two Vigilance parties in Vigilance wing.
State Level and Inter State Co-ordination meetings are being convened under the Chairmanship of (i)Prl.CCF & HoFF, AP, (ii)Principal Secretary, Home Affairs, AP (iii)Chief Secretary to Government, AP at regular interval of (3) to (6) months. For all these State Level meetings, the Member-Convener is Addl.Prl.CCF (Vig),O/o.the Prl.CCF & HoFF, AP.