All President of the Association of the Association of K. Amar Narayan, an IAS officer (Retd), called on the Karnataka government to grant the garden department to determine the scientific value of the trees of sandalwoods cultivated by farmers in their farms and plantations.
Currently, farmers need permission from the forest department to fall sandalwood trees and sell them to depots owned by Karnataka soap and detergents Ltd. (KSDL) or other government agencies.
In the petition to the main minister Siddarahaiaha, the association stated that with the decreasing availability of sandalwood, the mafia was largely involved in the theft of trees and exported to other countries for high values. It required the transfer of powers from the forest department to the gardening department for planting and selling sandalwood, which would benefit farmers to grow more sandalwood in their fields.
Sources also stated that alleged harassment of forest department officials with regard to tree felling, transport and non -scientific determination of wood forced the association to seek the intervention of the government.
The Association also called on the government to provide licenses for ownership of the basic weapons of farmers to ensure their security.
Since the availability of sandalwood in Karnataka has dropped, the KSDL promotes the “Grow More Sandalwood” initiative, which provides affordable seedlings and warranty to farmers, helping to ensure a sustainable offer of sandalwood for the future.
The KSDL, which faces a lack of sandalwood oil necessary for its flag brand Mysore Sandal Soap, has teamed up with farmers for commercial cultivation, mostly in the dry areas of the northern Karnataka, including Dharwad, Hair, Gadag, Raichur and Koppal to reduce its dependence on oil imports.
The company supplies seedlings to farmers according to the principle of “sharing and promotion”.
Published – 31 March 2025 17:34
