Author: Mayank Aggarwal

Source: Livemint.

Red sander wood (aka red sanders) is in the news after the brutal killing of alleged poachers from neigbouring Tamil Nadu by policemen in Andhra Pradesh.

• Red sanders is a rare kind of sandalwood that is in high demand in international market and costs around Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 a kg. It is found mainly across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• Export of red sanders is banned in India. But smuggling is rife. Red sanders wood is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.
• There is an unsubstantiated belief that red sanders can absorb nuclear radiation. Its primary use, however, is decorative and ornamental.