The Kerala cabinet has approved a draft bill that could change the state’s approach to sandalwood farming. The move opens up the possibility for private landowners to cut and sell sandalwood trees — but only through the forest department — with the aim of ensuring that the revenue goes directly to the farmer.
For decades, sandalwood on private land has been more of a liability than an asset. Current rules allow owners to cut only dead or dangerous trees or those removed for house construction. Even more striking is that if a tree is stolen, the landowner is held legally responsible. The new bill seeks to overturn this system, giving farmers both the right to sell their produce and protection from penalties for thefts beyond their control.
The bill makes clear that the relaxation applies strictly to sandalwood grown on private property. Trees standing on land allotted by the revenue department or in government reserved areas will remain outside its scope. To make the system effective, amendments to land ownership and revenue laws will also be needed so that pattayam (title deeds) can be issued for such land. Without this, farmers may still face hurdles in claiming full rights over the trees they grow.
Sandalwood’s value in the market is significant, and that appears to be one of the state’s motivations in easing the rules. Forest minister A K Saseendran noted that prices range between ₹4,000 and ₹7,000 a kg, depending on quality. With such high returns, the government believes more landowners will be encouraged to cultivate sandalwood once they are assured of a legal route to sell it and pocket the proceeds.
Alongside the new sales provision, the draft bill also carries a measure to ease how minor forest offences are handled. At present, there is no mechanism to close such cases by simply paying a fine, meaning even small violations drag on in the legal system. The proposed law would allow such cases to be compounded with the court’s approval, introducing a faster, less punitive way of dealing with them.
The bill will now move to the Assembly, where it is expected to spark debate, especially on how the forest department will regulate sales and ensure farmers get their due share without new layers of red tape.