Trees of sandalwood stored in Marayur’s sandal in idukki. (File) | Photo Credit: Jomon Pampavallley
Given that the cabinet approved a bill on a change in forest proposal to Keral forests, 2025, which changed the 1961 forest Act, farmers who cultivate the trees of sandalwood on private soil, can sell their production through registered compositions under forest departments. The price of the wood sold could be provided to farmers.
According to the Minister of Ak Sasendrana forest, the bill will support the cultivation of sandalwood in the state by the sold price of sandalwood available farmers. The current market price for one kg of sandalwood is at least 4,000 to 7,000 GBP. The price will increase again depending on the quality of sandalwood.
At present, even if sandalwood is stolen from its own land, the law must be filed against the landowner, discouraged people from planting santal wood trees on their properties. According to the current law, only trees and dangerous trees and dangerous sandalwood are allowed to cut. The bill allows you to cut trees on the ground where one wants to build a house for your own use.
The bill does not allow sanding of sandalwood trees reserved for government purposes on the land assigned by the Ministry of Income, for which the rules for stoking land to provide the title list. At present, there is no provision on the composition of forest crimes that reach the court. However, the bill included the provisions on the composition of some such crimes with the consent of the court.
Published – 13 September 2025 14:05
