Book Review: Blood Sanders The Great Forest Heist

Blood Sanders: The Great Forest Heist by Sudhakar Reddy Udumula is a startling exposé on the widespread and intricate criminal trade in red sanders, a rare and endangered wood species that is indigenous to the Seshachalam forests of South India. Udumula, a journalist with more than thirty years of experience covering crime, creates an engaging story with his first-hand recollections that emphasises the close ties between foreign purchasers, bureaucrats, politicians, and smugglers.

Beyond simple reporting, his book offers a thorough examination of the socio-political and ecological effects of this illegal trade, which has made the forests of Seshachalam a battlefield for survival for the trees and the people caught up in its web. The scarce manpower and lenient justice for repeated offenders, often shielded by pleas of ignorance and the guise of activism, hinder attempts to counter the smuggling. Yet the book lights a path to resolve this predicament.

Ten well-researched chapters, each focusing on a distinct aspect of the environment surrounding red sanders smuggling, divide the book. It starts with an overview of the economic and cultural significance of red sanders, sometimes referred to as “red gold,” before delving deeply into the smuggling racket’s operational and historical foundations.

The first few chapters focus on the unique properties of red sanders and their widespread use, particularly in China and Japan, for the production of musical instruments such as the Japanese shamisen, luxury furniture, and ‘sex’ pills. Rooted in the lore of the Ramayana, Hindus revere red sanders, believing that their touch on the forehead draws one’s soul closer to the divine. Hence, cradled by tradition and scarcity, the red sanders command astronomical prices, soaring near two crore rupees per tonne.

The book also describes the growth process and quality of the desired red sander. The price of the wood depends on the age and the environment in which it has grown. The harsh conditions of the forests for about 60-70 years provide the red sanders with a wavy texture, which has a higher market value, unlike the artificial cultivation that produces white sapwood, which has a lower market value.

Udumulu skilfully weaves a tapestry of ascents and descents. The rise of smugglers and the guardians committed to their downfall coincides with the swift ascent of political figures. The following chapter delves into the intricacies of the smuggling operation, encompassing the participation of local labourers, worldwide mafia networks, sophisticated methods to evade law enforcement, and even a captivating storyline featuring Tollywood celebrities.

Udumulu narrates the sociological and psychological aspects of the smuggling business through isolated cases associated with red sanders. Chapter two provides insight into the harsh realities of places such as Javadi, where the role of foot soldiers in the smuggling business is not only lucrative but often the sole means of securing a livelihood. Entangled in all of these, the fourth chapter delves into the love stories of Sangeeta and Lakshman and Neetu and Mastan. Two pairs bound by love and the perilous world of red sanders.

The book also discusses the state’s efforts to combat smuggling, which include the establishment of special task forces and modifications to forestry legislation. Udumula, however, is not afraid to point out the corruption and inefficiencies that undercut these policies.

Events like the 2015 Chittoor encounter, which resulted in the deaths of 20 suspected smugglers, vividly illustrate the bloodshed and human cost associated with this activity in the book. Then there is a narration on the attempts by the state government to sell the confiscated wood and the legality of such auctions and the farmers caught up in the midst of all this.

The narrative then explores the global reach of the smuggling, highlighting the involvement of Chinese actors and markets and the availability of the lower-quality African red sanders available at a mere fraction of the price. The concluding chapter advocates for conservation efforts, recognising administrative shortcomings and emphasising the implemented and potential steps to protect the Red Sanders.

The book weaves several key themes rooted in the tales of red sanders. A community graced with treasures unique to its land must strive collectively to preserve them, as should have been for the red sanders of Seshachalam’s dense, dry-deciduous embrace. Red sanders need not be said to be also essential to preserving the ecological balance of the area. Its depletion jeopardises local residents’ livelihoods in addition to biodiversity. Udumula cautions that careless tree-cutting may result in the extinction of these species within ten years. He draws attention to how the forest’s natural regeneration cycle is upset when mature trees that are valued for their thick heartwood with a girth of 70 cm or over are selectively harvested.

The book reveals the complex network of participants in the trade, ranging from foreign purchasers who drive demand to poor woodcutters forced into illicit forestry. Udumula shows how local workers, frequently from underprivileged areas and disadvantaged social classes like Dalits, are taken advantage of by middlemen and wind up taking the brunt of police activities while the kingpins get away with it. A detailed account of their operations on the specific days is also narrated. The story also examines the function of middlemen, such as the notorious Dawood Shahul Hameed, a wanted criminal who plans schemes from overseas.

The book’s thorough examination of the relationship between smugglers and political organisations is among its most important contributions. The clandestine trade of ‘red gold’ and the labyrinthine corridors of Andhra Pradesh politics intertwine, each shaping the other in a dance of power and profit. The trade is a deeply ingrained issue because of this mutually beneficial connection, which guarantees its continuation. He also highlights the considerable amount of non-cooperation from the forest officials and the police while picking up information for the book.

The international market for red sanders, the subject of the penultimate chapter. Due to its scarcity, the wood has become a status and wealth symbol, which has caused prices to skyrocket, according to Udumula. In order to highlight the problem’s worldwide scope, the chapter also discusses the function of cross-border mafias and refugee groups like the Burmese and the usage of hawala networks for money laundering.

The book and Udumula embody strengths that enrich their narrative. The author’s ability to do thorough research is evident throughout the book. His narrative gains credibility from his ability to make connections between local and international players, which is supported by two decades of field reporting.

The book is written in an engaging style, with vivid descriptions and real-life tales that keep readers interested despite its heavy subject matter. For example, the chapter on the Chittoor incident, which highlights the moral conundrums confronted by law enforcement, is both compelling and thought-provoking.
The book provides practical suggestions for addressing the Red Sanders dilemma, going beyond simple critique. In order to stop smuggling, Udumula supports stronger enforcement of forestry regulations, community-based conservation initiatives, and increased international collaboration.

The book speaks of timely truths, deepening its relevance and amplifying its reach. Although Blood Sanders is an admirable endeavour, it is not without flaws. The perspectives of local residents that rely on the forest for their livelihoods are occasionally overshadowed by the book’s emphasis on exposing the smuggling network. A more comprehensive understanding of the problem might have been achieved by incorporating more viewpoints from these parties, who are important stakeholders. Furthermore, the book occasionally goes into technical issues and official posts that readers who are not familiar with international trade regulations or forestry may find overwhelming. The visual representation of the various local routes would have enhanced readers understanding of the unfamiliar terrains.

Given the growing focus on environmental preservation and the part organised crime plays in resource depletion, the book’s release year of 2021 is noteworthy. Policymakers, environmentalists, and the public are all awakened by Udumula’s work. It emphasises how urgently sustainable forest management and more stringent anti-smuggling legislation are needed. The book also emphasises how investigative journalism has the power to promote societal change. Udumula has made it possible for more study and campaigning by bringing the problem to light. The Chief Justice of India, Justice N.V. Ramana, stated during the book’s launch that the media’s role in bringing attention to structural flaws and holding authorities responsible is more important than ever.

Blood Sanders: The Great Forest Heist addresses one of India’s most urgent environmental issues in a compelling and topical manner. For anybody interested in investigative journalism, organised crime, or environmental protection, Sudhakar Reddy Udumula’s thorough research and captivating story make it an essential study. The book challenges readers to reconsider their relationship with nature and the structures that oversee its exploitation, in addition to providing information. Udumula’s work serves as a sobering reminder of the price of complacency in a time when economic expansion frequently takes precedence over ecological concerns. He has made a strong argument for swift and ongoing action to save India’s forests and the communities that rely on them by exposing the environmental and human costs of red sander smuggling. Blood Sanders is a call to action for a more just and sustainable future, not merely a novel.