Ban on harvesting1

Growing sandalwood by individuals was banned until 2002. Today, we can

grow the trees but it is illegal to cut and harvest the wood, use it or sell it in
the open market. Permission is required from the state forest department,
which sends its officials to cut the tree and buy the sandalwood.
Such restrictions dissuade most people from growing sandalwood trees.
There is also a security threat, as sandalwood trees are scarce and might
attract unwanted attention.
Because of these restrictions, 90 per cent of our sandalwood trees have
been lost and soon, these trees may become endangered while other
countries grow and export sandalwood freely.
If we allow unrestricted harvesting and promote widespread cultivation of
sandalwood trees, the acute demand for sandalwood will be met and the
security threat around it would also be negated, says Professor D.
Narasimhan, associate professor, Department of Botany, Centre for
Floristic Research, Madras Christian College.
TAMIL NADU SANDALWOOD POSSESSION RULES, 1970
3. CONDITION FOR IMPORT, EXPORT AND MOVEMENT: No person
shall import sandalwood into or export sandalwood from, or move
sandalwood within any place in the State unless such sandalwood is
accompanied either by a permit referred to in Rule 4 or by a way permit
referred to in rule 6 and unless such sandalwood bears the mark of the
Government or origin, as provided in rule 7 of the property mark in respect
1 http://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/gardens/time-to-lift-restrictions-onplanting-sandalwood/article7285956.ece

of such sandalwood which has been duly registered in accordance with

rule7. Such sandalwood shall also be produced for examination at its
destination at the appropriate checking station specified in Schedule A.
7. USE AND REGISTRATION OF PROPERTY MARKS: (1) All sandalwood
imported from the State of Andhra Pradesh, Mysore or Kerala and all
Government Sandalwood disposed of locally shall bear the mark of the
Government of origin in the following manner: Every piece of sandalwood
shall bear its own Government mark and in the case of chips and saw dust
carried in bags the latter shall be closed and the fastening sealed with the
above mark.