Australia exports sandalwood oil to Karnataka as state’s production, quality decline: Report
Bengaluru: In a reversal of roles, Australia, which once imported sandalwood seeds from Karnataka, is now exporting sandalwood oil to the state. This shift comes amid a decline in both the quality and yield of farm-grown sandalwood in Karnataka, resulting in increased reliance on imports to meet domestic demand.
Private companies and Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) are increasingly diversifying their product lines due to the shortage of raw material, as reported by The New Indian Express on Thursday. Many are shifting focus to non-sandal-based items such as jasmine, rose, lavender, and aloe vera.
A KSDL official said that there is currently a 60–70% shortage of both sandalwood and its essential oil, severely impacting domestic production. To compensate for the shortfall, they are importing approximately 5,000 kg of sandalwood oil from Australia annually which continues to rise each year.
“Australia has become one of the largest suppliers of oil. Since Karnataka’s sandalwood is of supreme quality, Australia took the seeds from Karnataka in the 1990s and harvested them in a secure environment. Good quality of oil was extracted and Australia is gradually becoming a leading exporter of sandalwood oil,” TNIE quoted the KSDL official as saying.
The official added that, in addition to sourcing farm-grown sandalwood within the state, KSDL is also procuring wood from other states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, to meet the demand.
The decline in both the quantity and quality of sandalwood was highlighted in the Sandalwood Development Committee’s report released by the Central Vista Oversight Committee. The report, cited by TNIE, also identified Australia as the largest sandalwood market, holding approximately 69 percent of the market share, followed by India with a 20 percent share.
Officials at the Institute of Wood Science and Technology mentioned that, although sandalwood is a hardy species requiring a stressful environment to thrive, factors such as declining soil quality, reduced land fertility, and inadequate protection measures are contributing to a deterioration in its quality.
The Karnataka Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2001, permits the cultivation of sandalwood on private lands. This policy change has reportedly encouraged private individuals to engage in the cultivation and protection of sandalwood trees.
KSDL Managing Director Prashanth PK stated that to boost wood procurement, they have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 735 farmers, resulting in sandalwood cultivation on over 4,000 acres. “But a lot more needs to be done as demand is rising. Due to shortage, KSDL is diversifying into other items,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
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Massive fire destroys 10 fishing boats in Kerala's Kollam
Kollam (PTI): Around 10 fishing boats anchored in Ashtamudi Lake were gutted in a massive fire in the early hours of Sunday, police said.
The incident occurred in the Kureepuzha area under the jurisdiction of the Anchalumood police station.
According to police, the blaze was first spotted past midnight, and the boats, anchored in a row, caught fire. Residents and fire personnel rushed to contain the flames.
"As per preliminary assessment, around 10 boats were destroyed. The exact cause is yet to be identified, but a gas cylinder blast is suspected," a police officer said, adding no casualties have been reported.
Lok Sabha MP N K Premachandran urged the government to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, citing repeated fire outbreaks in the region, including a similar case at Mukkad just days ago.
"Recurring incidents have caused widespread concern among those dependent on the fisheries sector," Premachandran said, noting that preliminary suspicion points to a gas stove explosion.
He called for a detailed investigation to determine the cause and urged the government to provide compensation to those affected.
