Intl bidders eye seized red sanders

Hyderabad: Overseas bidders have evinced keen interest in purchasing seized red sanders even a month before Andhra Pradesh government is set to float a global e-tender-cum-e-auction for them. The government is eyeing revenue of over Rs 1,000 crore. The Forest Department officials have intensified operations to curb smuggling of red sanders and it has led to seizure of a huge quantity of logs.

In the last few days since the government announced to sell more than 4,000 metric tonnes (MTs) of red sanders in log form, interested groups from countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and UAE have visited warehouses across the State to verify the quality of the precious wood, Forest Department officials said.

The sale of red sanders, which confiscated from smugglers who illegally cut red sanders trees at Seshachalam forests, will be conducted for six days from September 19 for selling 4,160 MTs of red-sanders logs in 177 e-lots containing 1,77,877 logs in first phase on electronic platform by e-tender-cum-e-auction process. According to the Additional Principal Chief Conservator P K Jha, the response from the prospective buyers both from foreign countries and domestic was encouraging. Prospective customers from abroad and India had already visited warehouses in Tirupati, Kadapa, and Nellore forest divisions, he said.

The government has fixed a starting price of Rs 7 lakh to Rs 12 lakh per MT for A, B, C, and non-grades respectively. red sanders is endemic in Seshachalam, Veliganda, Lankamala, and Palakonda hill ranges.