Can the state indulge in trading of protected species who are on the brink of extinction or are threatened?

As for India, I heard that government stockpiles tonnes of sandalwood and bares people from doing the same? Same goes for China too- their Giant Pandas are vulnerable to extinction? (Of late in their panda diplomacy- they've started charging huge amounts of sum while transferring their pandas to zoos of other countries)

Is sandalwood mentioned as threatened or endangered under wildlife act 1972?

Surely sandal wood will be listed in wildlife act

But there are 6 categories.

From least endangered to extinct. The category varies. So in which category it comes under matters a lot.

I don't think so sandalwood would be in critically endangered category. If so it’s not logical for the Government to trade it for monetary gains.

If it’s not an endangered variety, Government can trade it subjected to replaceable or sustainable limits. Not a mindless trading.

Harvest is totally monopolized by the forest department?

Because it’s a variety listed under wildlife act. So it’s restricted for the common man. It’s monopolized for the welfare of wildlife only. For that matter no trading is allowed for a common man on any wildlife. Govt enjoys and should enjoy the monopoly.

Access to wildlife is restricted to a common man, because this wildlife is the nerves of the earth. So government know when to trade and when do not. But if a proper economy based on supply and demand by a common man is allowed then there are chances that those resources are exploited beyond a reasonable limit thereby cresting grave threats to the life on earth.

Provided that explicitly mentioned in the statue that it’s tradable by the govt. Or else a strict NO.