FARMERS ARE WELCOME TO EARN LOT

Now, the government has relaxed certain restrictions exercised in the past and is now encouraging private farmers and other industrialists to cultivate the sandalwood trees in their private lands. In order to encourage this activity the government framed the Tamil Nadu sandalwood trees on Patta lands rules in 2002 and approved it in November 2008. Under these rules, anyone can cultivate sandalwood in their private patta land, but the farmers are not permitted to fell and sell the sandalwood on their own. Whereas, harvesting, cleaning and the sale of the sandalwood after its maturity will be conducted by the forest department. Eighty per cent of the net sale proceeds will be given to the sandalwood tree owners within a period of three months from the date of extraction.

Hence interested farmers can come forward to cultivate sandalwood and earn more money from sandalwood farming. This step will also help in resurrection of sandalwood species both inside and outside the forest areas. Hence, the pride of Javadhi hills can be seen and preserved both inside the forest areas in the natural condition, and also outside the forest areas in the captive farming conditions. Sandalwood will not only be essential for human beings but also will be highly useful for the flora and fauna of these hills.