High Court of Karnataka
The Karnataka High Court has directed the Principal Secretary, Forest Department, to examine whether it is possible to allow religious institutions, temples and mutts to grow their own sandalwood trees for the express purpose of using them only for their religious customs and practices.
If the temples were allowed to grow their own sandalwood trees, then the government can formulate the necessary policy for the purpose, the court said.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order and partially allowed the petition filed in 2011 by Sri Krishna Mutt, Udupi. The petitioner-mutt sought a direction to the forest department to release the remaining quantity of 1,087 kg of sandalwood that the government had agreed to supply to the temple every year since 1921.
The mutt made the request because the government had supplied only 30 kg of sandalwood against the agreed quantity. Sandalwood paste, prepared by rubbing a piece of sandalwood on a grinding board, in a semi-liquid form, is used for the puja of Lord Krishna and also for its distribution as prasadam to devotees, the mutt told the court.
However, the government told the court that in the present circumstances it is not possible to supply sandalwood in such large quantity due to lack of availability of sandalwood, but 10 kg of sandalwood blanks could be supplied to the mutt if necessary application is made, every year as is happening in case of temples notified by Muzrai Department.
The Forest Department informed the court that every year up to 20 kg of sandalwood chips are supplied for Class A sidings and 10 kg for notified Class B sidings based on availability on receipt of applications for the purpose. Since the petitioner-mutt does not come under the Muzrai Department, a maximum of 10 kg of sandalwood billets could be supplied annually, subject to availability, if necessary, the request would be made by the mutt, the court was informed.
However, the Mutt claimed that the use of sandalwood to cremate the dead bodies of two VVIPs recently showed that sandalwood was available.
Keeping in view the provisions of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, lack of availability of sandalwood trees and the present policy of the government regarding the supply of sandalwood for temples etc., the court asked the petitioner to submit a request for supply of 10 kg of sandalwood logs every year subject to availability and the Deputy Commissioner Udupi should act on the request within 30 days.
Published – 30 Dec 2025 19:26 IST
