INTRODUCTION : The question arrises why should we plant sandalwood? to answer, sandal wood and its products are one of the finest perfumery materials since ages. The demand for the natural srigandha is increasing faster than of supply. Because of scarcity and supply industries are constrained to use alternates similar to Indian sandal wood, imported from different countries. Sandalwood (Chandan) and its products find use from cradle to cremation in human life. Even in temples imported chandan is used as to give prasadam. Sandal wood oil, because of its unique chemical and physical properties it has acquired a special place in aroma therapy medicine, perfumery, agarbatti Soaps and Detergents, Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic and allied industries.Santalum Album Line (Sandal wood) is commonly known as Chandan, Srigandha. Naturally grown sandal wood can find in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andra, Kerala, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and U.P. Manipura and in some other states. Chandan is known all over the world as East Indian sandal wood and is prized for its quality of oil and heart wood. Chandana is also considered as medicinal plant and is used on large scale in the manufacture of Ayurvadic Medicines. National Medicinal Plant Board, govt.of India had recognized as a Medicinal and Aromatic Plant. This is endangered species too.
Sandal wood is an evergreen tree attaining a Height of 12 to 15 Meter and girth of 100 to 200cms. At breast height. It is semi –root parasite plant found in association with other plants.
There are many varieties in sandal wood. The best variety is known to till (Santalum Album line.
Some other Australian varieties of sandal wood known as
o Fusanees Spicatum
o Feesanus accuminota syn(Encary accminota
o Santalum Lancedatum
o Santalum austro Caledomicam has less scented heart wood and oil.
In other countries like-
Africa :Osyris Tenuifolia
Fiji :Santalum Yassi
Madagaskar : Jagga wood
West India :Amyris balsemiferal
But all of the above plants are not a competitive for Indian Sandalwood.
The Indian Sandal wood Chandan is in two different colours, White & Red.
LEGAL ASPECTS : The govt. of Gujarat Forest Department GR Dated 17th March. 2003, “Every occupant or holder of land shall be legally entitled to sandal wood tree in his land”
GOVT. SUBSIDY : National medicinal plants board (Dept. of I.S.M &H.) Govt. of India giving subsidy as per OPERATIOMAL GUIDELINES to Sandal wood cultivators.
There are many varieties in sandal wood. The best variety is known to till (Santalum Album line.
Some other Australian varieties of sandal wood known as
o Fusanees Spicatum
o Feesanus accuminota syn(Encary accminota
o Santalum Lancedatum
o Santalum austro Caledomicam has less scented heart wood and oil.
In other countries like-
Africa :Osyris Tenuifolia
Fiji :Santalum Yassi
Madagaskar : Jagga wood
West India :Amyris balsemiferal
But all of the above plants are not a competitive for Indian Sandalwood.
The Indian Sandal wood Chandan is in two different colours, White & Red.
LEGAL ASPECTS : The govt. of Gujarat Forest Department GR Dated 17th March. 2003, “Every occupant or holder of land shall be legally entitled to sandal wood tree in his land”
GOVT. SUBSIDY : National medicinal plants board (Dept. of I.S.M &H.) Govt. of India giving subsidy as per OPERATIOMAL GUIDELINES to Sandal wood cultivators.
LOAN FACILITIES : Nationalised Banks and co – op banks are financing the Sandal wood plantation projects.
