Forest (Amendment) Bill offers new hope for Sandalwood farmers in Kerala

With the Kerala Cabinet’s recent approval of the draft Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2025, farmers in the State are likely to take up sandalwood cultivation in a big way on their properties.

The existing law permits the cutting of only dry sandalwood trees and those posing a danger.

Speaking to The Hindu, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran said that the draft Bill allows farmers to fell sandalwood trees on their land. “The landowner should hand over the felled trees to the nearby forest depot. The Forest department will pay the price for the timber and its parts,” said the Minister.

The Minister stated that the rules on determining the age at which the sandalwood trees are to be felled and other aspects need further deliberations. “Based on a detailed discussion on the Bill to be held on September 30, the Forest department will frame the rules,” said Mr. Saseendran.

According to the officials, the draft Bill also allows the cutting of trees on the land where one wants to build a house for one’s own use.

Former Marayur Sandal Division Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), M.G. Vinod Kumar, said that the amendment will help encourage sandalwood farming in the State. “With the growing demand for sandalwood, planting sandalwood trees today can serve as a valuable investment for the future,” said the official.

“As per my experience, a 30-year-old sandalwood tree extracted from the low range of Thodupuzha in Idukki can fetch an income of ₹3.05 lakh to the farmer. All parts, including roots and sapwood, are saleable and ensure an assured income, Mr Kumar said, adding that there is now a general trend among farmers to plant sandalwood trees on a portion of their land with the support of the Forest department.

Jeason Mathew, a farmer from Maradi, near Muvattupuzha, says he planted about 600 sandalwood trees on his land. “About four years ago, I sourced saplings from the Marayur Sandal Division. The officials from the division provided guidance on sandalwood farming.”

A.T. Thomas, a retired forest official residing at Moolamattom, said that a small single tree can fetch over ₹3 lakh. “The new amendment and government support will attract more farmers to go for sandalwood farming,” said Mr. Thomas.