: The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to clamp down on red sanders smuggling, particularly in the Seshachalam forest area which is known for the proliferation of the endangered species.
The government has, accordingly, made amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Act 1967 incorporating stringent provisions making red sanders smuggling a cognisable offence entailing a fine of Rs. 10 lakh and imprisonment of 10 years. Any case registered in this regard will be non-bailable and the government has made sure in its orders that there will not be any interference of court in this regard. In the amendments made to the AP Forest Act 1967, the government has made cutting of red sanders a cognisable and non-bailable offence in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The order takes note of the people engaged in smuggling of the red sanders where it says holding red sanders of more than 20 kg at a time would entail a punishment of 10 years imprisonment and Rs. 10 lakh punishment. One major amendment in the Act deals about the punishments prescribed for the operators of the trucks and other modes of transport.
