Srinagar, Dec 22: Police on Tuesday said it foiled an attempt to smuggle prized Red Sandalwood to China.
“The Red Sandalwood worth Rs 4 to 7 lakhs was recovered from Shey village in Leh,” Senior Superintendent of Police Leh, Bhim Sen Tuti told Greater Kashmir.
He said that a case under FIR no. 153 was registered in Police Station Leh. “It seems the Red Sandalwood had been smuggled from Andhra Pradesh. We have arrested a person and are ascertaining the source of the wood,” the SSP added.
“Had we not acted swiftly it could have been smuggled into China,” said another police official. “It can prove to be a tip of the ice-berg,” he added.
Pertinently the Red Sandalwood is not a native plant of Ladakh. It is found in the forests of the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Farooq Ahmad termed it a major catch. He said there are reports that the smugglers were waiting for the lakes along the China border in Ladakh to freeze so that they could crossover alongwith the cache. “It is said the wood is used for making rifle butts and in nuclear plants. We are thoroughly investigating all the aspects,” the IGP said.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has banned the trade of red sandalwood. Valley’s noted environmentalist, Dr A M Kak said India as signatory to CITES has international obligation to control the trade of products made from any parts of wildlife that are protected endangered or threatened by extinction.
Dr Kak said Red Sandalwood scientifically known as Santalum Album wood is extremely hard and resistant to insects. It is mostly used in musical instruments, furniture, cart shafts, agricultural implements, picture frames, carving etc.
The wood contains santalin, a valuable dye. It has immense medicinal uses to many ailments including digestive problems and chest infections.
Reports state there has been an increase in sandalwood smuggling over the past few months. Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has stressed for increased vigilance to prevent its smuggling.
Veerappan, a notorious dacoit who was killed in 2004, was instrumental in smuggling of over 10,000 tones of Sandalwood worth US$22,000,000.
Last month, 90 kilograms of herbs, worth Rs 15 crore, known for high medicinal value were recovered near Nyoma border in Ladakh.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT
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