Where does red sandal Grow in India ? 2024

Where does red sandal grow in India?

Red sandal grow in India in the Eastern Ghats’ red soils at high altitudes in the Kadapa, Kurnool, Chittoor, and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh, South India, are ideal for growing red sandalwood. Dig a hole that is approximately a foot deep, fill it with water, and choose a planting location with a loam and sand mixture that drains well.

Only the Seshachalam hills in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh are home to the unique and endemic Red Sandalwood. The IUCN categorized it as an endangered species because South India overexploited it for its timber.

Because of its great rarity as red sandal grows in India, the wood is highly prized throughout Southeast Asia and the Gulf countries. As 1 kg is reportedly sold for millions of dollars on the international market and costs between Rs 90,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, it makes sense that there would be a lot of smuggling.

Red sandalwood is primarily found in the forests of southern India, especially in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. However, it is also found in small quantities in other parts of South and Southeast Asia such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The price of red sandalwood depends on factors like the quality, oil content, size, and weight of the wood. As per 2022-23 price data, high-quality red sandalwood logs of around 20-30 kg weight can cost between ₹3-5 lakhs per metric tonne. The price rises significantly for superior quality woods.

Is Red sandalwood an endangered species?

Red sandalwood is labeled as an endangered species by IUCN and its trade is illegal under CITES agreement. It is smuggled out of India on a large scale due to high demand and expensive prices, leading to strict crackdowns by forest authorities.

Which state is leading in Red sandalwood production?

Andhra Pradesh is the leading state in India in terms of red sandalwood reserves and production, especially in the Seshachalam hills area. Other significant reserves are found in Karnataka’s Sandur Hills and Tamil Nadu’s Javadi Hills.

What is the botanical name of Red sandalwood?

Botanically, red sandalwood belongs to the Santalum genus and its scientific name is Santalum album. It is part of the sandalwood family called Santalaceae which has around 16 species under the Santalum group. Some common uses of red sandalwood include wood carving, furniture making, sacred prayer beads, incense sticks, perfumes, cosmetics, medicinal oils, and dyes. It is valued for its rich red color and fragrant oil content.

How long does red sandalwood take to grow?

Red sandalwood (Santalum album) is a slow-growing, long-living hemiparasitic tree native to southern India. The growth rate is slow due to its status as a root hemiparasite – it needs to tap into the roots of other ‘host’ plants to obtain nutrients and water.

Seedlings take 2-3 months to germinate after sowing. The young saplings then need 6 months to 1 year to establish themselves in soil along with connecting effectively to host plants. So the first 1-2 years involve healthy establishment of young plants.

Once established, the trees grow very slowly for the initial 8-10 years. The growth rate is usually a marginal 1-2 feet of height per year. The girth would expand up to half an inch annually. At age 5, red sandalwood trees achieve an approximate height of 6 feet in field conditions.

It takes 10-15 years for the tree to attain a reasonable 8-12 feet height that permits commencement of heartwood formation within the trunk. The heartwood is the prized part as it possesses aromatic oils, deep red color and a dense wood texture.

So around 15 years or later, the sandalwood tree starts maturing in terms of girth, heartwood properties and oil content. The ideal age for cutting red sandalwood for high-quality, aromatic heartwood is between 20-25 years from date of planting. The older a tree over 25 years, the richer is its oil concentration and darker the heartwood color which raises its value.

Thus the long rotation lifespan of around 30 years or more makes red sandalwood a very slow-growing species compared to other timber woods even under organized cultivation. This lengthy maturation period limits its supply and raises prices. In the wild forest, red sandalwood trees can even live for up to 80-100 years old.

More About Red Sandalwood

Originating solely in the Seshachalam hills of Andhra Pradesh, red sandalwood is native and endemic to the Indian subcontinent. Overexploitation for timber has led the IUCN to classify it as an endangered species.

Internationally coveted, especially across East Asia, red sandalwood timber is sculpted into exquisite carvings and furniture. Chinese artisans have treasured the wood since the Qing dynasty. In Japan, it comprises the bridge and neck of the traditional shamisen instrument.

Valued in Ayurvedic medicine, red sandalwood treats coughs, vomiting, fever, excess thirst, intestinal worms, skincare issues, and more. Its essential oil infuses cosmetics worldwide.

Red sandalwood price

With substantial depletion globally, high-grade red sandalwood logs now fetch around ₹15,000-20,000 per kilo (kilogram). Media reports estimate the wood’s worth from ₹9 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per kilo before export, catalyzing rampant smuggling and violence between smugglers and authorities attempting to conserve India’s natural heritage. As the last remaining native habitat, Andhra’s Seshachalam hills require protection to prevent this rare species’ extinction.