Govt to develop sandalwood estates

  • 20/08/2008

  • Deccan Herald (Bangalore)

By P M Raghunandan, DH News Service, Bangalore: With sandalwood production hitting the rock bottom, the State Forest department has decided to adopt Australian model to regain the States lost glory as Srighandadanaadu. The department, as per the new plan, will develop exclusive sandalwood estates, where the scented trees will be given "intensive' protection. Security "The estates will be covered with electric chain fencing, besides appointing two guards exclusively to man the trees round-the-clock,' Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Development) K Sundar Nayak said. In the last few years Australia has successfully developed sandalwood farms and has emerged one of of the major suppliers of sandalwood in the international market. However, Indian sandalwood