Andhra Pradesh Launches Yearlong Tech Drive on Red Sanders Smuggling
Nellore: Deputy Chief Minister and forest and environment minister K. Pawan Kalyan announced a sweeping, technology-driven operation to crack down on red sandalwood smuggling in Andhra Pradesh, revealing a year-long crackdown that combines stringent enforcement with digital monitoring systems for transparency.
After a high-level review with SPs from five districts, Red Sanders Special Task Force officials and senior forest officers in Tirupati, Pawan announced that the government would launch a “nation-style operation” similar to the Centre’s Operation Kagar against left-wing extremism. “Those who cut down even a single tree will fear the law,” he warned.
As part of the raid, every red sandalwood log seized in the state will be barcoded and geotagged for real-time tracking from seizure to sale; This is a first-of-its-kind step aimed at preventing theft, forged documents and insider collusion. “The world needs to know how many lakhs of red sandalwood trees have been destroyed. We are bringing technology for complete transparency and accountability,” Pawan said.
Pawan, who inspected the Mangalam Red Sandalwood Warehouse near Tirupati, home to eight major deities, personally inspected the logs, examined stock records and directed officials to digitize all warehouse records immediately. “Not a single log should leave the warehouse without permission,” he instructed.
Expressing his pain at environmental destruction, he said: “It is heartbreaking to see how greed is destroying vast areas of our sacred forests. These gods are evidence of this destruction.”
Pawan announced that four major smuggling ringleaders have been identified and warned that their assets would be seized under special legislation. He accused the previous YSRC regime of allowing widespread smuggling between 2019 and 2024. “More than 2.6 lakh logs – around 1.3 lakh trees worth Rs 5,000 crore – are stored on government lands, but unregistered smuggling can exceed Rs 10,000 crore,” he said.
The Deputy CM also announced that after discussions with Union Forest Minister Bhupendra Yadav, the Center has ordered that all red sandalwood seized anywhere in India be returned to Andhra Pradesh. Logs worth around Rs 25 million seized in Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana and Tamil Nadu have already been returned.
Earlier, during his visit to Mamanduru forest area in Seshachalam Hills, Pawan walked through forest areas and examined saplings and regeneration in old felling areas. From the Napier Reserve Forest watchtower he surveyed smuggler routes, elephant corridors and ongoing patrol operations. “Smugglers can destroy the trees, but nature opposes this; many tree stumps have started to sprout again,” he observed.
He also suggested planting Ankudu trees to help Kondapalli toy artisans and linking environmental protection with livelihood generation. Before completing his tour, he planted a cycad sapling at the Mamanduru forest camp, symbolizing the government’s renewed commitment to eco-restoration.
“Seshachalam forests are divine; red sandalwood is said to have sprung from the blood of Lord Venkateswara himself. It is our duty and honor to preserve this sacred gift,” he said.
Senior officials including Forest Advisor Mallikarjuna Rao, PCCF Chalapathi Rao, Chief Conservator Selvam, DFO Ravi Shankar Sharma, Tirupati collector Dr S. Venkateswar and SP Subbarayudu were present during the survey and inspections.
