The week-long global e-tender-cum-e-auction of 4,160 metric tonnes of seized red sanders logs by the State government, which began on Monday, received a good response, official sources said.
While the timing for e-auction was scheduled from 12 noon to 3 pm, it was extended several hours, with several Indian and foreign buyers participating in the bidding process, the sources said.
After receiving permission from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for export of red sanders wood in log form, the State government has notified the sale of 4,160 MTs of graded red sanders wood stored in AP forest depots located in Kadapa, Bhakarapet, Tirupati, Udayagiri, Kanigiri, Adurupally and Venkatagiri.
The sale had to be postponed twice-once to enable the Forest Department officials to conduct road shows and pre-bid meetings in China and Japan. The second time, it was put on hold after the National Green Tribunal ordered a stay. But, the petitioner who sought the stay subsequently withdrew the petition.
Besides 461 Indians, prospective foreign buyers from China (289), Hong Kong (4), Singapore (6), Japan (16), UAE (2), Taiwan (1) and 19 from other countries visited the depots till November 18 and inspected the logs notified for sale.
The cash-strapped AP government has decided to raise resources through the export of red sanders. While permission has been given for auction of 8,584 MTs, 4,160 tonnes would be sold in the first phase.
The DGFT has extended the time limit for the sale, which expired on October 31, by six months up to April, 2015.
