pterocarpus santalinus (RED SANDERS) THE ENDANGERED TREE

santalinus, commonly known as Red Sandalwood, is a native and endemic to India and can only be found in the southern parts of the Eastern Ghats. It is a small tree that grows to 5-8 meters in height and has a dark grayish bark.

1. Credit Seminar – 2 on “ Pterocarpus santalinus (Red Sanders) an Endangered Tree of India ” Department of Silviculture & Agroforestry College of Forestry Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences. Advisor: Neelam Khare Associate Professor Presented By M. Sam Williams 21MSFSA025 Ph:6301377823

2. CONTENTS Abstract Introduction Endangered Habitat Distribution Importance Medicinal & cosmetic use Red Sanders falls back in IUCN’s ‘ Endangered’ Category Smuggling Prevention measures Some of the endangered plant species Conclusion References

3. Abstract : Pterocarpus santalinus (Family – Fabaceae) popularly known as Red Sanders is an endemic species confined to Southern parts of Eastern Ghats of India specially in Andhra Pradesh. Heartwood of Red Sanders has high demand in domestic as well as international market and the wavy grained wood is valued. Along with its extensive use in furniture, the red dye obtained from the wood is used as colouring agent for textile, medicine and food. A number of studies have been carried out to anatomically and phenotypicaly screen wavy grain at seedling stage. Morphological variability and genetic diversity studies reveal that Red Sanders harbours enormous variability. Though, macro and micro propagation protocol have been developed, further refinement is required for mass propagation. Andhra Pradesh Forest Department has also initiated different activities under tree improvement programme. Considering the wood demand, restricted distribution, slow regeneration, illegal harvest, trade and habitat destruction, the species has been categorized as endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature and has been listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and is also classified as a “reserved tree” under the Andhra Pradesh Preservation of Private Forest Rules, 1978. To revive the past glory of this valuable species, Government agencies, farmers, entrepreneurs and policy makers have to join hands for its protection, sustainable utilization and conservation .

4. Introduction Pterocarpus santalinus (Red sandal) P terocarpus santalinus with the common names sanders, red saunders,yerrachandanam,chenchendanam,redsandalwood , rakta Chandana and saunder wood is a specie of pterocarpus ende,ic to the southern eastern ghats mountain range of South India Santalum Sandal Wood Family : Fabaceae This tree is valued for the rich red colour of its wood. The wood is traditionally considered not aromatic. However, in recent years there has been a marked uptick in the use of red sandalwood as a component of incense, especially in the west. The tree is not to be confuse with the aromatic Santalum sandalwood santalim sandalwood trees that grow natively in southern India. .

5. Endangered An endangered species is a  species  that is very likely to become  extinct  in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat as loss ,poaching  and invasive species. The  International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)  Red List lists the global conservation status of many species, and various other agencies assess the status of species within particular areas.

6. Habitat The natural habitat of Red Sanders is a hilly region with hot dry climate. It is a strong light demander and does not tolerate overhead shade. It cannot withstand water-logged conditions. Soil is calcareous, shallow with sandstone, hard substratum and quartzite rocks. The forests are all periodically burnt and so rather open and with a heavy growth of grass. Rainfall is about 750 to 1000 mm per annum.

7. Distribution Andhra Pradesh: Red Sanders is distributed mostly throughout the Seshachalam hills of Cuddapah and Chittoor districts and forms a gregarious ‘Red Sanders bearing forest’. It shows sporadic distribution in Nigidi hills of Anantapur, Nallamalais of Kurnool and Veligonda hills of Nellore and Prakasham districts. Tamil Nadu: Red Sanders shows scattered distribution in parts of Thiruvallur, Salem and Dharmapuri districts. Interestingly, it was reported from Devarayandurga, Sandur and Karpakapalli Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas as well as parts of Haliyal division in Karnataka.

8. IMPORTANCE The wood at the center of the trunk (heartwood) and the bark are used as medicine.  People use red sandalwood for conditions such as cancer, wounds, digestive tract problems, fluid retention, and many others F or use in cosmetics and medicinal products as well as for making furniture, woodcraft and musical instruments. The timber is highly demanded domestically and internationally, and especially in East Asian countries. Red Sandalwood timber is used for carvings, furniture, poles, and house posts. It  is highly valued in Japan for its acoustic properties and is used to make musical instruments.

9. Medicinal & Cosmetic use Red sandalwood is used for treating digestive tract problems, fluid retention, and coughs; and for “blood purification. Red Sandalwood has antiseptic and antibacterial effects and has been utilized in ancient medicine to treat many severe and chronic infections. Sprinkling red sandalwood powder on wounded skin has proven a quick remedy for many bacterial infections T he red sandalwood is one of the finest ingredients for your skin. It is primarily used for skin care and beauty purposes. It is very effective in treating blemishes, rashes and acne. It also helps in the removal of tan and dullness because of its cooling properties .

10. Red Sanders falls back in IUCN’s ‘ Endangered’ Category The IUCN maintains a list — called the Red List — of flora and fauna species and categorises them based on their conservation status. The species is endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Andhra Pradesh. It was classified as ‘near threatened’ in 2018 and has now joined the ‘endangered’ list once again in 2021. The latest IUCN assessment stated: “Over the last three generations, the species has experienced a population decline of 50-80 per cent. It is assessed as Endangered”. It further advises that conservation efforts need to be strengthened and developed to protect the species. Source: rapidapi.com

11. Smuggling The tree, found only in Andhra Pradesh, is in high demand in the international market. Red Sanders is an endangered species found naturally only in four districts of Andhra Pradesh  However, the rare plant species are listed as 'near threatened by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), due to its overexploitation. Due to its high demand in the underground markets, red sandalwood trees are often smuggled and are sold at a very high price. A recently released and trending Telugu movie provides a fictional account of red sandal smuggling.

12. Prevention Measures : No person shall import Sandalwood, Sandalwood chips, Sandalwood powder or Red Sanders wood, Red Sanders woodchips and Red Sanders wood powder into or export Sandalwood chips, Sandalwood powder or Red Sanders wood. No piece of the wood and other materials specified such as bags containing saw dust or chips of such wood shall be transported unless they bear an authorized marking or seal of the Government.

13. Cont.. Awareness camps would be done in villages and vicinity areas with an objective of growing and protecting the tree. Training programmes would be conducted and propagation techniques would be taught to farmers. Regular feed backs would be collected from the places where plantations are being done. Karnataka government had taken the lead in inserting microchips on sandalwood trees. The move was to protect the Sandalwood.

14. CASE STUDY Location :- Tree Improvement and Genetics Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, India Journal No:- Arunkumar and Joshi / Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment Vol. 4. No 02 (2014) 1-10. Researchers :- A.N. Arunkumar and G. Joshi. Summary of Study :- Pterocarpus santalinus (Family – Fabaceae) popularly known as Red Sanders is an endemic species. Considering the wood demand, restricted distribution, slow regeneration, illegal harvest, trade and habitat destruction, the species has been categorized as endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature and has been listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and is also classified as a “reserved tree” under the Andhra Pradesh Preservation of Private Forest Rules, 1978. Therefore, to revive the past glory of this valuable species to mankind, Government agencies, farmers, entrepreneurs and policy makers have to join hands together in protecting, conserving and sustainably utilizing Red Sanders.

15. Fig: Locations of Pterocarpus santalinus overlaid on topography map for the Eastern Ghats of India.   Source:Reserchgate.net

16. Source:IUCN

17. Source:connect2India

18. Source: IUCN

19. Some of the endangered plant species: Malabar Mahogany Red Sandalwood Assam Catkin Yew Ebony Musli

20. Conclusion Considering the wood demand, restricted distribution, slow regeneration, illegal harvest, trade and habitat destruction, red sanders has been categorized as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and has been listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and is also classified as a “reserved tree” under the Andhra Pradesh Preservation of Private Forest Rules, 1978. To revive the past glory of this valuable species, government agencies, farmers, entrepreneurs and policymakers must join hands for its protection, sustainable utilization and conservation. Plant a Hope for Future…

21. References Anuradha M, Pullaiah T (1999) Propagation studies of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. ) in vitro – an endangered taxon of Andhra Pradesh, India. Taiwania 44(3):311–324 Arunkumar AN, Joshi G (2014) Pterocarpus santalinus (Red Sanders) an endemic, endangered tree of India: current status, improvement and the future. J Trop For Environ 4(2):1–10 Arunkumar, A.N. 2011. Variability studies in Pterocarpus santalinus in different aged plantations of Karnataka. My Forest, 47(4): 343-353. Behera, S. K., Panda, A., Behera, S.K. and Misra , M.K. 2006. Medicinal plants used by the Kandhas of Kandhamal district of Orissa. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 5: 519-528 Kukrety , S., Jose, S. and Alavalapati , J.A.A. 2013. Exploring stakeholders’ perceptions with analytic hierarchy process: A case study of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) restoration in India. Restoration Ecology, 21(3): 372-379.