India is taking new strides in promoting home-grown sandalwood, a prized natural resource deeply ingrained in the nation’s cultural heritage. As part of the ongoing ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative, the Indian government has recently inaugurated a training program on Indian Sandalwood Farming & Management.
About Indian Sandalwood
Santalum album, known as Indian Sandalwood, belongs to a dry deciduous forest species native to China, India, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines. This small tropical tree grows to a height of 20 meters and has red wood with varying dark colors of bark, including dark brown, reddish, and dark grey hues. Due to its strength and durability, S. album is primarily harvested for its timber. However, it is currently identified as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.
India was historically the largest contributor to the global sandalwood trade, accounting for 85% of the overall activity. However, this contribution has seen a rapid decline in recent years.
Uses of Indian Sandalwood
In India, where it is also referred to as “Chandan” or “Srigandha”, the uses of sandalwood extend from household furnishing to religious rituals, thereby marking its journey from cradle to cremation.
The close-grained heartwood of sandalwood is highly valued for crafting fine furniture and intricate carvings. This heartwood, along with the roots, also yields ‘sandal oil’, an important ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, incense, soaps, and medicinal preparations. The bark contains tannin, which is utilized for creating dyes.
Sandalwood essential oil possesses antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and astringent properties. It is a popular choice in aromatherapy for reducing stress and hypertension, healing wounds, and treating skin blemishes.
Major Growing Areas
In India, the cultivation of sandalwood primarily occurs in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
The Sandalwood Market
There are numerous varieties of sandalwood in the world, but Indian sandalwood and Australian sandalwood hold a special place due to their high commercial value. India and Australia are globally recognized as the leading growers of sandalwood. The largest markets for sandalwood products are located in the United States, China, Japan, and the Indian domestic market.
Aiming towards a Sandalwood Revival
The newly launched training program on Indian Sandalwood Farming & Management indicates the government’s vision to revitalize the declining sandalwood industry. The program, which incorporates establishing Sandalwood Technology Innovation Centres in the growing states, seeks to upgrade training and skill development along with introducing advanced cultivation methods to farmers and budding entrepreneurs.
By doing so, the initiative promises to breathe new life into Indian sandalwood farming, thereby reinforcing the country’s standing in the global sandalwood trade, while preserving an invaluable part of the nation’s cultural heritage.