Sandalwood (Santalum album) is a valuable timber tree species that is native to India and commonly used for its aromatic wood, oil, and cosmetic products. Here are some general guidelines for growing sandalwood trees in India:
- Soil: Sandalwood grows well in well-drained, sandy loam soils that are slightly acidic (pH 6.0 to 6.5). The soil should be fertile, rich in organic matter, and able to retain moisture.
- Climate: Sandalwood thrives in warm, humid tropical and sub-tropical climates. It requires a minimum temperature of 15°C, and rainfall of 600-1200 mm per annum, well-distributed throughout the year. The tree prefers partial shade and protection from strong winds.
- Planting: Sandalwood can be propagated through seeds or vegetative propagation (grafting, budding). Seeds should be sown in well-prepared beds, preferably under the shade of a nursery, and kept moist until germination occurs. Seedlings can be transplanted to the field after 6-8 months, when they are about 20 cm tall.
- Spacing: Sandalwood trees should be planted at a spacing of 3m x 3m or 4m x 4m, depending on the fertility of the soil and the intended use of the wood. The trees grow slowly, and it takes 25-30 years for them to reach maturity.
- Maintenance: Sandalwood trees require regular watering, especially during the first two years after planting. They also benefit from regular application of organic manure, mulching, and pruning to remove dead and diseased branches. Weeding and pest control measures should also be carried out periodically.
- Harvesting: Sandalwood is harvested for its heartwood, which contains the valuable sandalwood oil. The tree is ready for harvesting when it is 25-30 years old and has a girth of 60-70 cm. The heartwood is harvested by felling the tree and extracting the inner core, which is then steam distilled to obtain the oil. The remaining wood can be used for timber or carving.
- Legal requirements: Sandalwood is a protected species in India, and its cultivation, harvesting, and trade are regulated by the government. A farmer needs to obtain a permit from the concerned authorities to cultivate sandalwood trees and sell the wood.
- Sandalwood (Santalum album) is a protected species in India under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. As such, the harvesting, transportation, and sale of sandalwood are strictly regulated by the government. Here are some of the restrictions on sandalwood harvesting in India:
- Permission: A person or entity must obtain permission from the Forest Department to harvest sandalwood trees. The permission is granted after due verification of the plantation details, age of the trees, and the purpose of harvesting.
- Age of the tree: Sandalwood trees should be at least 25 years old and have a girth of at least 60 cm before they can be harvested.
- Quantity: The Forest Department fixes the quantity of sandalwood that can be harvested from a tree, based on its age and girth.
- Marking: Before harvesting, each sandalwood tree is marked with a unique identification number to ensure that it is not confused with other trees.
- Transport: Sandalwood logs can be transported only with a permit issued by the Forest Department. The permit must be carried with the logs during transportation.
- Sale: Sandalwood logs can be sold only to the government or its authorized agencies. The government auctions the sandalwood logs and sells them to buyers after due verification of their credentials.
- Penalties: Violations of sandalwood harvesting regulations can lead to imprisonment and fines under the Indian Forest Act and the Wildlife Protection Act.
- These restrictions are in place to protect sandalwood trees from overexploitation and to ensure that the benefits of sandalwood harvesting accrue to the local communities and the state.
- D3Y is a real estate consulting firm that is primarily into offering cost-effective middle-men free housing, investment and farmland solutions on a cooperative basis to the middle class. If a reasonable size or group of like-minded people from a particular city understand the benefit of our investment plans and come forward, we shall handhold them and help them undergo the whole process in any of our two services. Service-1: Solution to get a Flat “Free” investing 10% of its cost 10-12 years in advance on commercially viable land, Service-2: Investing on 1 acre Sandalwood land farmland that gives up to 100 times returns in 15 years.