SHIMLA: Shiwaliks in lower Himalaya has a potential to revolutionize economy of its farmers as it can grow the money-minting sandalwood trees if all goes as being planned by the scientists. Shiwaliks can usher into a sandalwood "Tamil Nadu in this tiny Himalayan " state of Himachal Pradesh, say scientists.
Sandalwood is figured in legends, epics and in Ayurveda as the most sacred tree among the Hindus from times of Ramayana and Mahabharat eras down to the present day as it has immense health giving properties to Human body and mind.
But In India, no one bother to tap sandalwood potential increase its depleting forest cover in the country. "We have just meagre 9000 sq km of sandalwood forest mainly concentrated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and few pockets in Orrisa, Maharashtra and Kerala, say the scientists.
The scientists from across the country on Wednesday conferred here at the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) exploring potential of the Shiwaliks and its foothills to grow the sandalwoods. Shiwalik is ideal for growing sandalwoods as it has an ideal temperature and weather conditions conducive for the plants, says Dr Shayam Vishwanathan, director, Forest Research Trichur, Kerala, who was the chief guest at the seminar on sandalwood at HFRI.
The ill-famed Sandalwood smuggler cum don of Tamil Nadu, Veerapam and his ilk flourished not without reasons because sandalwood products including its wood and oil carry a huge price tag in national and international markets. Its wood is sold for Rs 14000 to Rs 32000 per kg, while its highly prized oil gets legendary Rs 5 lakh per ltr price, inform the scientists.
The price tag may sound tempting for the farmers, but sandalwood is not an easy tree to grow and make its survive to its desire height that ranges from 600 m to 1200 m in an ideal condition. The plant needs an hosting species of trees and need extra care for about four years after planting the tree, says Dr Sandeep Sharma, scientist F at the HFRI.
Director, HFRI Dr SS Samant says that the HFRI would give training to the farmers as to how to grow sandalwood by organising exposure visits to the sandalwood forests and nurseries in the sandalwood growing states and train them. HFRI will take the role of a facilitator of the sandalwood in Himachal Pradesh and other areas to raise plantations and nurseries, he adds.
Dr Jagdish Singh, coordinator of the seminar said over 30 participants and stakeholders participated in the seminar and got tips on sandalwood plantations and nurseries development. The plant cannot be grown in areas which is foggy and frosty, the scientists added.
(Kuldeep Chauhan is Editor and Administrator, HimbuMail)
