Relevance:
Recently, a study showed that Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD) is posing a severe threat on the Commercial Cultivation of Sandalwood.
About Sandalwood Spike Disease:
- Infectious disease caused by phytoplasma.
- Phytoplasmas are bacterial parasites of plant tissues which are transmitted by insect vectors and involved in plant-to-plant transmission.
- Treatment: No cure (Cut down and remove the infected tree)
- 1st reported – Karnataka (1899)
- Reason – Restrictions on green felling (Silviculture felling)
- Silviculture is the method of regulating the growth, health, composition, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values.
About Indian Sandalwood:
- A dry deciduous forest species
- Native – China, India, Indonesia, Australia, Philippines.
- Varieties – Red wood, Dark brown and dark grey
- IUCN Red – Vulnerable
- Other Names – Chandan and Srigandha.
- Uses:
- Sandalwood heartwood (close-grained) – furniture and carving.
- Heartwood and roots (contains sandal oil) – Aromatics, cosmetics and medicines.
- Bark (contains tannin) – Dye
- Sandalwood essential oil – Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Astringent
- Major Growing Areas – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
About Red Sandalwood:
- Endemic – South India
- Areas – Tropical Dry Deciduous forest (Palakonda), Seshachalamhill ranges (Andhra Pradesh), Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List – Near threatened
- CITES – Appendix II
Reference: The Hindu
