I have represented to CITES India, to make efforts to remove Red Sanders from CITES Appendix II. BSI Kolkatta is now conducting survey for NDF study. That can be extended for this also, as IUCN has removed Red Sanders from Endangered Category and listed in Near Threatened. Hope MoEFCC, ADGF WL ie CITES MA and BSI Kolkatta ie CITES SA will act upon it and ensure all hurdles are removed for dry land farmers Red Sanders wood.

1. Red SandeRS TRee
(Pterocarpus Santalinus)
IUCN reclassified it as Near Threatened
…..no more in Endangered category
Now, GOI needs to act to remove all hurdles for
Dry land Farmer’s Red Sanders Wood Export

2. IUCN has classified
Red Sanders as
Near Threatened, NT
Published on 5th July, 2018
Based on objective survey
in Feb 2018
We Farmers
Thank IUCN

3. We also thank IUCN
for recommending
“It is recommended that the process of
exporting and harvesting propagated and
cultivated trees is streamlined to encourage
the establishment and use of these trees”
Refer conservation actions in
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/32104/0
Fundamental, India yet to understand

4. We Thank CITES HO
• For trying to resolve Ambiguities and
Inconsistencies for cultivated source specimens
wide notification 2018 / 048
• “ DRAFT REVIEW OF CITES PROVISIONS RELATING
TO THE TRADE IN SPECIMENS OF ANIMALS AND
PLANTS NOT OF WILD SOURCE”
• It mentions in line 92 & 93, clearly
– “an economic alternative to traditional agriculture
in countries of origin, and could also increase
conservation interest in the areas of natural
distribution….”

5. Yes, It is true
Ambiguities, Confusion,,
Inconsistencies, Misunderstanding of
objective of IUCN / CBD /CITES, NDF
study, Procedures etc prevails in many
countries, including India
It affected Indian Dryland Red Sanders
Tree growing farmers, Very Badly.

6. Red Sanders Tree Growers in India
• Around 3000 small dry land farmers in Tamil nadu &
Andra Pradesh states of India are growing this tree
• More than 10 Million trees are growing
• Taking risk of long term gestation, 20-25 years
• No proper guidance / financial support
• Mostly they grow as no other option.
– No water or bore well crossed 1000 ft depth
– Erratic rain fall & frequent droughts
Many more farmers are interested to Grow it

7. But, they are not able to sell / export, in trouble
• Traders say “ Nowadays, we don’t deal with it,
due to policy restriction / delays “
• Export policy says only value added products are
allowed to export.
– but no value adders in India
• It helps only smuggling to increase
Note: CITES MA allows raw logs of wild, mentioning
confiscated source
(Confiscated wood may be of farmer’s also!!!).

8. Can ignorant, remotely located farmers
runaround for years?
In the End…
Farmers Life is in Danger by Smugglers
Similar to Sandal tree owners
No incentive for tree growing,
but only hurdles & harassment !!!
Is it the way to facilitate tree growing?
How are we going to combat climate change?

9. Root Cause of the Problem
• IUCN classified it as an Endangered species in 1998,
without objective survey
• CITES added it in Appendix II, without survey
• India did not distinguish Wild and farmers Red
sanders wood specimen, as did by CITES
• When? How to do NDF study?
• CITES norms on SA / MA roles /responsibilities not
understood.
MoEFCC is focused on forest, not understanding
Farmer’s difficulties / Agri lands

10. One Main Root Cause - Resolved
IUCN has classified it as Near Threatened
with objective survey
• My representation to IUCN (also previously)
https://www.slideshare.net/GanesanRP/red-
sanders-is-not-an-endangered-species-
representation-to-iucn-by-rp-ganesan
Now It’s CITES India (MoEFCC) Turn

11. So, What Next?
• It shall be removed from CITES Appendix II
– For that Comprehensive survey may be needed.
– If, India wants to monitor it’s trade then shall report
to CITES HO to add it in Appendix III.
• Officials / Scientist need to be exposed to IUCN
/ CITES / CBD.
– CITES certification shall be insisted.
• Need to remove hurdles for all trees of farmers

12. • CITES, Management Authority.
– ADGF WL, New Delhi
– Regional offices, WCCB
• CITES Scientific Authorities
– BSI, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkatta
– IFGTB, Coimbatore.
– Etc, Happy to see many more added in 2017
Who Need to act?
India’s Tree, India Needs to act – CITES India
And, NBA, National Biodiversity Authority

13. Removal of Red Sanders
from Appendix II of CITES
• CITES SA, ie BSI K needs to make a report &
represent to CITES HO, thro’ CITES MA
– May require comprehensive survey
Nobody knows it’s comprehensive population.
IUCN did objective survey in some 6-7 places of
forest population. With that itself, it declared it as
Near Threatened. Ref iucnredlist survey map.
Comprehensive survey may make it “Least Concern”
BSI K shall represent anytime to IUCN

14. BSI K NDF study - survey…
• BSI conducts NDF, population survey but it said
– “Random sampling of Red Sanders population
(Wild/cultivated) is planned”
• BSI-52/I/RTI /2018 / Admn dt 23rd Feb 2018
– Then “comprehensive survey report is under
preparation”. Happy
• BSI-21/01/2018 dt 20th July 2018
• An Advertisement in local dailies and /or agriculture
magazines of TN, AP, KA.. is better
This representation is only to ensure comprehensive survey
to remove it from appendix II of CITES

15. To remove it from Appendix II
Report need to be submitted 150 days before
CITES meet.
Next is at Sri Lanka in May 2019
ie before Nov 30th 2018
Another survey, is not advisable.
Plan – approval – etc
We farmers are ready to help.
Requested farmers to send their cultivation
details to BSI Kolkatta

16. • It charges 5% from foreign Red sanders buyers
• Collected around 15 crores, distributes to states.
– Still has crores, will get crores !!!
• It also shall be used for Comprehensive survey
of Red Sanders…other developments
Understand, comprehensive survey may require
more budget and manpower.
NBA can sponsor.
College students shall be involved.
NBA - shall be CITES MA, South India
Ref Expert committee recommendation

17. IFGTB, NDF Report (2011 – 12)
• It said, there is no reliable data on it’s
population status.
• They considered Red sanders population of
AP Forest only, not TN etc & Farm lands
• 7th recommendation is to include all &
harvestable stock in future. Yet to happen
We thank IFGTB
• For recommending “ export should be from
cultivated sources”, Refer 4th recommendation

18. We thank
NBA’s Expert Committee (2014 – 16)
28 Member Expert committee, after deliberating
thoroughly for 2 years with necessary studies,
mentioned / recommended
• CITES does not restrict export, only FTP
– Foreign Trade Policy, ie EXIM
• Highlighted the cumbersome procedures
• Recommended to remove export restriction for
farmer’s Red Sanders wood

19. We also thank DGFT
I replied for representation that
“ The policy is under examination and hope for
positive development shortly”
• Removal from appendix II will help further
Another Pandora? Who said / recommended only value added
products allowed for export, when there is no industry.

20. NDF “ Non-Detriment Findings” Study
• May not be required
– Once it is removed from Appendix II
• If required, NDF reports shall be derived from
comprehensive data base, as and when required
• It shall be as per “9-Steps for NDF study for
perennial crops like trees”, ref next slide
Note :It very clearly indicates that NDF is Not
required for farmer’s cultivated source

21. Special Thanks to
CITES Germany & TRAFFIC
• For creating a manual “9-Steps for NDF study
for perennial crops like trees”
https://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/
17/InfDocs/E-CoP17-Inf-45.pdf
I understand CITES SA – India,
ie BSI Kolkatta is aware about it now.

22. Is CITES certification required for officials?
• CITES does not restrict cultivated source
specimen even if it is Appendix I
– but CITES India restricted for Appendix II itself.
• NDF study required every time for all request
for export of wild specimen.
– CITES - SA does it once in 5-6 years
• I have been saying, Red sanders is not an
endangered species for 2 yrs, IUCN confirmed.
– MoEFCC / ICFRE / FRI .. didn’t notice
CITES has clear document but very elaborative.
CITES certification make them read

23. NGO Ms Anita Verghese attended NDF training
program in 2008, nobody else, my best of knowledge
• India should get membership in Plants / animal
committees of CITES
• CITES Certification shall be made mandatory for
official / scientists
• IFS / BSc Forestry should have a special subject
on these treaties.
Biodiversity Rich India does not have a member
in Plants / Animal committees of CITES

24. CITES-MA (Management Authority)
HO: ADGF WL N Delhi
ROs : WCCBs
• Ensure it is removed from CITES Appendix II
• If would like monitor its trade then represent
according to add it appendix III, accordingly
• Farmers application shall be treated as priority
– Shall provide permission within a month of online
application, without delay.
– Farmers shall not be treated with Wildlife Crime
control approach.
• A bad experience in one Range office(r) reminds me

25. Many meets / reports
• Shri AK Bansal Committee Report (2011-12)
• IFGTB Farmers meet –Red sanders 2012
• Shri TSR Subramaniyam High Level
Committee report, 2014
• Agroforestry policy mentions hurdles 2014
• NITI Aayog’s Agri reform 2016
• Sandal, Rosewood, Red Sanders meet 2017
• ICFRE Regional meets at IWST 2018
Who recommended only value added products to
export? Ironical

26. Many have done good job, but issue is not resolved
MoEFCC has got many division but…..
Needs higher level co-ordination and approach to find
solutions fast to do the best in this 21st century
• IFB, Hyderabad with 6 institutes (BIOTERIM,
IWST, IFGTB, SVU, NBRI, UoH), taking up a
project “AICRP –Conservation and Genetic
Improvement of Red Sanders tree”
– Mapping of Red sanders population !!!
Now, 2018

27. CITES Treaty Objective is Clear
“CITES remains one of the world's most
powerful tools for wildlife conservation through
the regulation of trade. Thousands of species
are internationally traded and used by people in
their daily lives for food, health care, housing,
tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion…. with
benefits for the livelihoods of local people and
the global environment”
Purpose of all Offices / Treaties is to improve
life / environment, not to hamper.

28. UN CBD also says
It has 3 main objectives:
• The conservation of biological diversity
• The sustainable use of the components of
biological diversity
• The fair and equitable sharing of the
benefits arising out of the utilization of
genetic resources.
– Sharing with… ???

29. Ultimately, what we, farmers, want
“Farmer’s Red Sanders wood is allowed for
export in any form without any quota restrictions”
Yearly Quota creates problem with expiry. Getting all
permission in a year is too difficult, starting from gross
root forest official to CITES MA, DGFT ….
When un-replenishable Iron Ore is allowed to
export?
Why not valuable dry land wood, in log form?

30. NITI Aayog said,
in it’s Agri 2016 reforms
All tree species grown in Farmer’s field
should be free from Felling, Transportation
regulations.
I would just like to add
Free from…. Selling / Export regulation.
At least trying to make it simple and fast.

31. Tree Growing (Treeculture) is
the Healthiest Wealth Creation activity
• Unfortunately it is harassed in India.
• Main issue, Treeculture (Agroforesty) is no-
bodies baby.
– MoAFW has SMAF
– But Forest dept’s colonial laws meant for
protection of forest is applied on farmer’s trees.
• A Timber Development Board may be a
solution
It will reduce dependency on wild forest

32. alaRming
• India’s EPI is 178 /180 countries
– EPI, Environmental Performance Index
• Ground water level, crossing 1000 ft deep
• Indian farmer’s suicide
– Water scarcity for regular crops
• India’s tree cover, remains 23% for decades
• Paris INDC target of 2.5 Billion MT CO2 sink
• India Imports wood of it’s 90% requirement
Tree growing will help

33. Thanking you
RP Ganesan BE, Treeculturist
Struggling after growing Red Sanders tree, a Healthy Wealth
http://wca2014.org/healthy-wealth-from-degraded-dry-
lands-with-trees
All my struggles are shared
https://www.slideshare.net/GanesanRP
Happy some of the hurdles are getting removed.
Hope MoEFCC will remove all.

34. Bibliography
• IUCN’s latest classification of Red Sanders tree
– http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/32104/0
• Log on to Red Tape
– An article in “Down to Earth” magazine in July 2018 issue
• Ambiguities and Inconsistencies in NOT of Wild Source
– https://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/notif/E-Notif-2018-048.pdf
• Benefits of trade
– https://cites.org/sites/default/files/document/E-Res-08-03-
R13.pdf
• 9-step NDF study for Perennial species
– https://www.cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/17/InfDocs/E-
CoP17-Inf-45.pdf