Conservation of sandal genetic resources in India. I. Extraction patterns and threats to sandal resources in Karnataka

Abstract

Sandal is one of the most important commercial tree species in the deciduous forests of South India contributing substantially to the foreign exchange earned through the export of forest products. However, due to extensive changes in the land use patterns, deforestation and the indiscriminate exploitation of the sandal resources, the natural stock of the species has been rapidly dwindling in the country. This paper highlights on assessment of extraction patterns and threats to sandal resources in the state of Karnataka, that accounts for more than 60 to 70 per cent of the total area under sandal in the country. Our study confirms that over the years there has been a steady decrease in the availability of sandal. The decrease is mirrored in the reduction of sandal wood supplied to the factories over the years. The implications of the study with particular reference to the conservation of sandal genetic resources in the state as well as in the country has been discussed.