Forest Officials Seize 10 Sandalwood logs after Villagers’ Tip-Off

Illegal transport of red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) was halted on Friday, November 14, 2025, when villagers from Appinapalli intervened and assisted forest officials in seizing 10 sandalwood logs. The operation was conducted under the ongoing initiatives of the State Vice-Chief Minister and Minister for Forest and Environment, Pawan Kalyan, to curb red sanders smuggling in the region.

During routine checks conducted by the Tirupati Flying Squad near Pulicherla, a suspicious Tavera vehicle was observed speeding. The vehicle was immediately pursued by forest officials, but two individuals jumped from the moving vehicle and escaped, while the driver attempted to flee. With guidance from forest authorities, the villagers tracked the vehicle and forced it to stop, allowing officials to inspect it.

Upon inspection, it was confirmed that 10 red sanders logs were being transported illegally. The information was promptly conveyed to Vice-Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who praised the initiative and bravery of the Appinapalli villagers. The villagers stated that their actions were motivated by a desire to support the government’s anti-smuggling measures. Forest officials and local police were also commended for their roles in the operation.

The smugglers were reportedly transporting the logs towards Bangalore, consistent with known trafficking patterns in southern India. Red sanders from the forests of Chittoor, Kadapa, and Nellore districts are often illegally moved to domestic and international markets, including China and Southeast Asia.

The market value of the seized logs was estimated at ₹12.5–20 lakh in legal channels, while the black-market value could range from ₹25–50 lakh, reflecting the high demand and scarcity of this endangered species.

This incident highlights the crucial role played by local communities in protecting forest resources and supports ongoing state efforts to combat illegal red sanders trade. Similar community-supported interventions have been recorded in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the importance of citizen vigilance in forest conservation.