Bengaluru, May 7 (IANS). With an aim to promote sandalwood cultivation, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), the government manufacturer of the prestigious Mysore sandalwood soap, has launched a major initiative to stop sandalwood theft. This announcement was made by Small and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil on Thursday.
Under this initiative, farmers, scientists and organizations having knowledge of advanced tools or innovative techniques to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to contact KSDL and share details. They will also be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organization.
The minister said that if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, they will be considered and steps will be taken towards implementation.
Patil said that the expenses incurred in implementing the technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft will be borne by KSDL.
He said with an aim to encourage sandalwood cultivation, four farmers supplying the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL would be honored on June 4, the birth anniversary of former Maharaja of Mysuru Nalawadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
The Minister further said that on the same occasion, policemen and forest officials who have made significant progress in arresting sandalwood thieves and registering cases as well as common citizens who provide credible information helpful in such action will be honored and rewarded.
Patil said that the farmers cultivating sandalwood are facing increasing threat of theft in recent years. Illegal harvesting and smuggling of sandalwood has been going on for decades. He said that although strict laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of culprits getting punished is very less.
He further said that in this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organization to provide legal and technical support to the farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a large scale.
Patil further said that in the last three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonnes of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore into their accounts.
–IANS
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