The Hindu : Sandalwood trees face threat from smugglers in Hassan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 21, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Hassan

Sandalwood trees face threat from smugglers in Hassan

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, MARCH 20. Even as the Forest Department is all set to observe World Forestry Day on Sunday, sandalwood grown in 1,000 acres at Ramadevarahalla, Aidahalla, and Tirumaladevara Gudda protected forest range in Belur taluk is facing danger from sandalwood smugglers.

According to sources in the Forest Department, several sandalwood smugglers have set their eyes on the forests. It has become difficult for the department to protect the 15-year-old sandalwood trees owing to lack of staff.

People living in villages around Ramadevarahalla reveal that smugglers mark moderately grown sandalwood trees and cut them during nights.

A senior official of the department, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the department had arrested 15 persons in connection with the felling of sandalwood trees.

According to sources, of the 50,000 hectares of forests in the district, sandalwood is being grown in nearly 10,000 hectares. The climate in Hassan district is best suited to grow sandalwood. However, the area under sandalwood cultivation in the district has declined substantially over the years. Now, sandalwood is grown in Belur, Hassan, Channarayapatna, Alur, and Arsikere taluks in the district. According to sources, around 150 to 200 sandalwood trees can be found on an acre of land at Ramadevarahalla. Fully grown sandalwood trees fetch good revenue to the department as the market price for a ton of sandalwood is Rs. 9 lakh. This makes it imperative to protect the sandalwood trees for at least another 20 years.

When contacted by The Hindu , the Conservator of Forests, S. Shekar, refuted the charges of rampant smuggling of sandalwood in the area. Five watchers and one forester were guarding the forests, he added.

Ignorant of the fact that young sandalwood plants would not fetch any income, some people in the area were involved in cutting and transporting of sandalwood trees.

However, the department had tightened security and a few persons had been arrested in connection with the illegal felling of sandalwood trees, he said.

The department had submitted a Rs. 35-lakh proposal to protect sandalwood trees in the area.

He said that the proposal, while highlighting the need to protect sandalwood trees, provided for a "chain-linked mesh," forming a "fire line" to stop forest fires, setting up watch towers in sensitive areas, and equipping guards with wireless equipment and modern arms and ammunitions to curb sandalwood smuggling.

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