In a recent meeting, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan announced a decisive initiative against red sandalwood smugglers, stressing the importance of protecting this rare tree species found only in the Seshachalam forests. He warned smugglers to cease their illegal activities voluntarily, as the government is prepared to launch a special operation aimed at eradicating smuggling within a year. Four key figures in the smuggling network have been identified, and their assets will be seized. Kalyan, who also oversees environmental and forest affairs, underscored the cultural significance of red sandalwood to Hindus and called for collective responsibility in its protection. He also proposed implementing barcoding and live tracking systems for better monitoring of red sandalwood logs.