Planters Ask Centre to Act on Sandalwood Committee’s Report

VIJAYAWADA: Central Sandalwood Committee chairman Ratan P. Watal on Friday disclosed that a comprehensive report detailing the problems faced by sandalwood farmers across the country, along with practical solutions, has been submitted to the central government.

Addressing a national conference of the Red Sanders and Sandalwood Growers Federation held at Vijayawada, Watal called upon growers to remain united and collectively urge both the centre and the states concerned to implement the report’s recommendations.

He explained that the Sandalwood Committee had been constituted by the union government in response to long-standing challenges confronting sandalwood cultivators. “The committee undertook an in-depth study of issues faced by farmers across various states. It has compiled a report suggesting viable solutions. The committee’s recommendations have been formally submitted to the centre,” he stated.

Farmers from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu participated in the national conference at Vijayawada and put forth their grievances.

The sandalwood committee chairman emphasised that sustained unity within growers is crucial to ensure that the committee’s recommendations are translated into policy action.

Red Sanders and Sandalwood Growers Federation state president Garapati Purnachandra Rao and Karnataka Farmers Federation president Kempa Reddy Aruna Narayana highlighted the mounting difficulties in protecting red sanders and sandalwood plantations. They pointed out that growers are increasingly vulnerable to theft, smuggling and regulatory hurdles, making cultivation a risky proposition.

Various speakers at the national conference appealed to both the central and state governments to introduce robust security mechanisms and supportive measures to safeguard plantations and encourage farmers to continue cultivating these valuable species.