Record money received through online sandalwood auction in Kerala; one tree alone fetches Rs 1.25 cr
Idukki (PTI): Kerala's famous Marayoor sandalwood trees are known for their unparalleled fragrance, and the state Forest Department has received record sales revenue through its auction this month. Officials said the department got Rs 37.22 crore in the auction, where big companies and institutions like Karnataka Soaps, Oushadhi, Jaipur CMT and India Limited, KFDC, and Devaswom Boards participated.
The sandalwood collected from private lands and those from forest areas were auctioned. Forest officials said the amount collected towards the sandalwood from private lands will be handed over to the landowners.
"Just one sandalwood tree on a private land at Marayoor picked up Rs 1.25 crore. Its roots alone were sold for Rs 27.34 lakh," Vinod Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, Marayoor told the news agency PTI.
He said with more private people coming forward for sandalwood farming, it should be noted that 4,226 kg of sandalwood collected from private farmers were also auctioned, fetching more than Rs 3 crore.
"This amount will be handed over to the land owners," Mr Kumar said.
Apart from Marayoor sandalwood, fragrant wood from other divisions of the Kerala Forest Department was also auctioned here.
"9,418 kg of sandalwood from other divisions were auctioned," the DFO added.
This is the second online auction conducted this year, which was carried out for over two days in four sessions. A total of 68.632 tonne of sandalwood in 15 different classes were auctioned. Out of this, 30467.25 kg of sandalwood were sold out.
On the first day, Rs 28.96 crore and on the second day, Rs 8.26 crore worth of sandalwood were auctioned.
Karnataka Soaps alone has bought 25.99 tonne of sandalwood at Rs 27 crore.
The auction also included white sandal bark and roots. White sandal bark fetched a minimum price of Rs 225 per kg.
On the first auction in March this year, sandalwood was auctioned for Rs 31 crore.
Marayoor, located some 40-km from Kerala's scenic Munnar hill station, is the only place in Kerala with a natural growth of sandalwood trees.
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Ceasefire holds, no DGMO talks today: Indian Army clarifies amid media speculation
Jammu: The Indian Army on Sunday dismissed reports of a scheduled DGMO-level meeting with Pakistan, confirming that no such talks are planned and that the ceasefire agreement between the two countries remains in effect without an expiry date.
A statement issued by the Defence Ministry addressed growing media speculation and public queries regarding the status of the ceasefire and the possibility of renewed hostilities. “No DGMO talks are scheduled today. Regarding the continuation of the break in hostilities, as decided during the DGMO interaction on May 12, there is no expiry date,” the statement read.
The ceasefire, agreed upon in the May 12 DGMO-level interaction, marked a significant de-escalation in tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated that trade relations with Pakistan and the Indus Water Treaty will remain suspended despite the ceasefire.
During recent visits to military installations, including the 15 Corps headquarters in Badami Bagh, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Indian Air Force base in Bhuj, Gujarat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored that the ceasefire will be upheld only if Pakistan ceases support for terrorism. “India has placed Pakistan on probation. Any hostile act will receive a firm and appropriate response,” Singh warned.
Meanwhile, the Indian security establishment—comprising the army, police, and intelligence agencies—continues to maintain high alert levels nationwide. Forces are closely monitoring suspected terrorist operatives, overground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers.
Despite the ceasefire, border residents in Jammu and Kashmir continue to bear the brunt of earlier hostilities. Heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army in recent weeks forced hundreds to flee their homes, particularly in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts. Over 200 homes and commercial establishments were reportedly damaged or destroyed.
Now, cautiously hopeful for stability, many displaced families have started returning to their villages to resume agricultural and pastoral activities.
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