With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider

With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements :

  • 1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
  • 2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
The correct option is A, as statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is correct. Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is a tree species endemic to a specific region of South India, mainly the Eastern Ghats, particularly in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. Red Sanders trees are typically found in dry deciduous forests, hilly tracts, and rocky ground, not in tropical rainforest areas of South India.
Red Sanders is known for its rich red colour and is highly valued for its timber, particularly in East Asia, leading to illegal logging and trade. It is listed as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN and is included in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), regulating its international trade.