Sandalwood

Why in News?

The Union Budget 2026–27 highlighted sandalwood (Santalum album) as an important part of India's social and cultural heritage.

• Biological Nature – This species is a hemi-root parasite that relies on host plants for water and nutrients.
  • Selection of unsuitable host plants can result in stunted growth, chlorosis, and increased mortality.
  • For example, Malabar neem produces dense shade, which suppresses the growth of sandalwood.
  • Melia trees are often harvested for plywood, which further reduces the sandalwood’s vigour.
• Climate‑Smart Traits – This is a high-value and resilient tree species.
  • It exhibits tolerance to salinity and drought, is hardy, possesses a light crown, requires minimal nutrients, and adapts to a range of soil types.
• Agroforestry Integration – This species is well-suited for block plantations, boundary plantings, and mixed cropping systems.
  • Compatible host species include gooseberry, mango, custard apple, and legumes such as red gram.
  • Cultivation of this species can increase farm incomes and enhance environmental resilience.
• Geographical spread – Cultivation has moved beyond traditional Southern belts to Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of northern India.

Sandalwood Development Committee

Constituted by – Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and Union government think tank NITI Aayog, Chaired by – Finance Secretary Representatives – Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Ayush, National Medicinal Plants Board of the Government of India are members of this committee. Representatives of the Institute of Wood Science & Technology, Bengaluru. Forest College & Research Institute of the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University are also represented in this committee.

Reference

Down to Earth | Sandalwood Reborn