Sandalwood at Sathyamangalam
Sandalwood at Sathyamangalam
Sandalwood trees are famous for their beautiful fragrance and its wood substances are used from centuries. In India, sandalwood tree also popular as a Chandan or Srigandha and it is the most costly tree plant.
It is an evergreen tree and it is mostly employed in cosmetic, therapeutic, commercial and medicinal. The maximum altitude of the sandalwood tree is 13 to 16 meter and 100 cm to 200 cm girth.
- Family of sandalwood: Santalaceae
- Botanical/Scientific name of sandalwood: Santalum album
In Indian culture, Sandalwood trees hold a special place and it practised from cradle to cremation. It is also accepted in Cosmetics, Pharmaceutical, aromatherapy, soap industry, and perfumery so, the commercial-grade of sandalwood tree or oil is very expensive in the Indian market.
Sandalwood has many species and these different varieties are accessible worldwide. There are two popular varieties of sandalwood which have a very high economic value in the market. Sandalwood leaves are also used for animal feed.
The Sandalwood trees are ready for harvesting after 30 years of cultivation. If you are using organic cultivation system then you can get the sandalwood tree in 10 to 15 years. In India, there are three sandalwood colours are available white, yellow, and red.
Soil Requirement of Sandalwood Tree Cultivation:
Sandalwood can be grown in any well-drained soils having good organic matter. However, red sandy loam soils are best for their growth and yield. If you are planning for commercial cultivation of sandalwood, it is advised to go for a soil test and fulfil the nutrient requirements in soil based on soil test results. Sandalwood grows better in slightly alkaline soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.
What are the common pests and diseases found in sandalwood tree cultivation?
Insect pests of sandalwood tree cultivation:
- Defoliating caterpillar (Lymantria dispar, which decrease growth)
- Seedling rot (caused by Fusarium oxysporum, which also causes mortality)
How to plant sandalwood tree?
Usually, seeds collected from plants age of 15 to 20 years in August to March is best for its growth and yield. These collected plants should be dried up and well-treated before sowing on nursery beds.
Generally, 7 to 8 months old well-branched seedlings of 30 to 35 cm height raised on nursery beds are used for transplanting in the main field. Two types of seedbeds such as “sunken” and “raised beds” are used to raise the sandalwood seedlings. You can buy a baby plant at Rs. 100 from a nursery.
The harvesting time of sandalwood tree:
Sandalwood tree grows well and matures after 30 years from planting so, it will be available for harvesting. In the latest technology, there are many tree cutting machines are available in the market so you can utilize any device for harvest sandalwood tree. The heartwood of sandalwood trees are carried into the mill and softwoods are removed.
By using some machine this hard sandalwood is shifting into powder. This sandalwood powder soaks in water for 2 days after it’s used for making oil and other cosmetic products.
Where sandalwood tree found in India?
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Telangana
- Gujarat
- Bihar
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
what are the benefits of sandalwood?
Health benefits of sandalwood :
- Sandalwood tree paste and its essential oil work as very powerful anti-inflammatory agents.
- Frequently, sandalwood trees are utilized for manufacturing perfumery products and deodorants.
Sandalwood oil benefits for skin and health:
- Get Bright, fresh and flawless skin.
- Heals skin infections and itching.
- Inhibits skin ageing.
- Prevents seizures.
- Used as an antibiotic agent.
- Promotes renal health.
- Fights viral contaminations.
How one can get the yield and subsidy for sandalwood cultivation?
Sandalwood yield per tree:
As sandalwood takes longer than any other tree to grow. On an average, per year it can grow 5 cm girth. Practically, You can receive the 10 to 25 kg sandalwood tree wood depends on the tree growth.
Subsidy for sandalwood cultivation:
There are many banks available in India which renders the facilities of subsidy and loan to farmers for sandalwood tree cultivation. You can instantly contact these banks for more prevailing subsidy or loan information. The types of loan provided for sandalwood cultivation are:
- NABARD
- NMPB (National Medicinal plants board)
Sandalwood plantation cost and profit:
The price of Sandalwood in India is everyday increasing-price Rs. 20,000 per tonne in 1980, Rs. 200,000 per tonne in 1990; Rs. 4000,000 per tonne in 2004 and 7500,000 per tonne in 2014.
Export of timber from India is forbidden except for handicraft pieces of sandalwood up to 50g weight. International demand for sandalwood is calculated to 10,000 mt per year.
Generally, in a one-acre land, you can grow the 400 to 440 sandalwood tree plants. Sandalwood tree cultivation costs depend on many factors. In India sandalwood plantation cost per acre is 6,00,000 INR.
The Cost of sandalwood tree heartwood is 6,000 Rs/kg. From one acre land normally, you will expect 5000 kg yield of sandalwood crop.
After, 15 to 20 years total expected price is 5000 x 6,000 = 3, 00, 00,000 (3 crore).
Total cost/expenditure + other costs = 6,00,000 INR
6,00,000 + land cost per acre 20,00,000 INR = 26,00,000
Profit: 3,00,00,000 – 26,00,000 = 2,74,00,000/acre.
In the regional market, these sandalwood trees are very necessitated. So, you can receive the good returns from this Sandalwood tree cultivation.
How can sandalwood be purchased?
Sandalwood occurs mostly in the Eastern Ghats extending from Vellore district in the Northeast of Tamil Nadu to the Nilgiris in the west in the dry deciduous forests of the region. In Tamilnadu, simply dead and drying sandal trees are extracted and delivered to depots for rough cleaning and final cleaning.
The final cleaned sandalwood is traded in a public auction in three sandalwood depots at Tirupattur, Salem and Sathyamangalam at frequent intervals. To buy sandalwood through auction sales, firm or individual must enrol their name with the respective District Forest Officers, partake in the sale and offer the highest bid.
Sandalwood can also be obtained through the retail sale of the Forest Department. The retail sale of sandalwood shall be ordered by the following officers to attend the bonafide local demands. (G.O. Ms No. 1228, Forests and Fisheries dept., dated 6.10.1983)
- District Forest Officer – Upto 5 kilograms to private individuals.
- Conservator of Forests – Upto 10 kilograms to private individuals, up to 100 kilograms to temples.
- Chief Conservator of Forests – Upto 50 kilograms to private individuals, up to 500 kilograms to temples.
The sale rates are decided by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and delivered to all officers once in a year. Based on the rate the sandalwood is marketed in retail sales.
In G.O.Ms.No.429, Environment and Forests Department, dated 24.10.1997, District Forest Officers have been authorised to sell up to 10 M. Tonnes of sandalwood to temples under the control of HR & CE, companies under the control of Tamilnadu Khadi and Village Industries Board, Government enterprises and organisations like IMPCOPS manufacturing medications under the control of Co-operation Department.
The government in their G.O.Ms.No.37, Environment and Forest Department, dated 10.2.1999 have authorized the Forest Department to sell up to 10 M.Tonnes of sandalwood to small users through the retail sale.
How sandalwood is transported from one place to another?
According to Tamil Nadu Sandalwood Transit Rules 1967, no person shall import sandalwood into or export sandalwood from or move sandalwood within any place in the State unless such sandalwood is appended either by a permit referred to in Rule 4 or by a way permit mentioned in rule 6 and unless such sandalwood carries the mark of the Government of Origin, as provided in rule 7 of the property mark in respect of such sandalwood which has been duly registered in accordance with rule 7.
In Tamil Nadu, Sathyamangalam under Erode District is well-known famous for sandalwood where it is widely grown in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Forest by the local government and it is called as the “Sathyamangalam Sandal City”.
The place is not only famous for its sandalwood but also the Bannari Amman Temple which is located 20 Km distance from the town and Bannari Amman Institute of Technology which adds pride and proud not only to Sathyamangalam but also for the whole district.
Image Courtesy: qazwa.id, www.wasandalwood.com
To know more about the speciality of Sathyamangalam, refer:
