Cash starved Andhra Pradesh government has pinned hopes on selling Red Sander through global tenders to pile up some cash. There are over 8,500 tonnes of red sanders lying in government godowns. These are caught by forest officials from smugglers on various occasions and have huge demand across the World. Red sanders is widely grown in Chittoor, Kadapa and Nellore districts of AP but its sale is controlled by the Government of India.
It is said that on State government’s request,center has agreed to sell 4000 tonnes of red sanders in the first phase. TDP government will very soon issue a notification for the sale through global tenders. Each tonne of red sanders commands 25 Lakhs in the international market and forest Department estimates that a sum of Rs 1,000 crore could be earned initially.
