Red Sanders
2022 JAN 11
Preliminary >
Environment and Ecology > Species extinction & protection > Species in news
Why in news?
- Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) has fallen back into the ‘endangered’ category in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
About Red Sanders:
- It is an Indian endemic tree species, with a restricted geographical range in the Eastern Ghats (endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Andhra Pradesh).
- It usually grows in the rocky, degraded and fallow lands with red soil and hot and dry climate.
Threats:
- Illicit felling for smuggling, forest fires, cattle grazing and other anthropogenic threats.
- Red Sanders, known for their rich hue and therapeutic properties, are high in demand across Asia, particularly in China and Japan, for use in cosmetics and medicinal products as well as for making furniture, woodcraft and musical instruments.
Protection Status:
- Classified as ‘endangered’ category in IUCN Red List.
- Red Sanders are scheduled in appendix II of CITES.
- All species listed under Appendix II of CITES and is banned from international trade.
- The harvest of the tree is also restricted at the state level.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule II
PRACTICE QUESTION:
With reference ‘Red Sanders’, consider the following statements:
1. The species is endemic to Himalayas
2. It is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer