Nagaland explores commercial sandalwood cultivation as scientists identify foothill areas with favourable growing conditions
DIMAPUR — The Nagaland government is exploring the potential for commercial cultivation of sandalwood in the state, with scientists identifying the foothill areas as promising locations due to favourable soil and moisture conditions. However, experts have advised caution over red sanders, citing slow heartwood development that may affect its commercial viability.
The assessment was shared during a coordination meeting between the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and scientists from the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima, on November 11.
The meeting was chaired by Y Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, a DIPR report stated.
A team of scientists from ICFRE-Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru; ICFRE-Institute of Forest Biodiversity (IFB); and ICFRE-Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), Jorhat, conducted field visits to various parts of Nagaland on November 10.
The team assessed the growth of the two tree species, heartwood development in mature trees, and the suitability of the state's soil and climatic conditions.
During the meeting, Dr. Swapnendu Pattanaik, Director, IFB; Dr. BN Diwakara, Scientist-F, IWST, Bengaluru; Dr. Satyam Bordoloi, Scientist-E, RFRI; and Dr. Rakesh Kumar Prajapat, Scientist, RFRI, presented their findings and technical assessments on the cultivation potential of sandalwood and red sanders across different parts of the state.
The scientists observed that the foothill areas of Nagaland offer encouraging prospects for sandalwood cultivation, given their favourable moisture conditions and fertile soil.
Heartwood development in mature trees was also found to be satisfactory, indicating good cultivation potential.
Findings from scientific studies in adjoining areas of Diphu were also presented in support of the assessment.
However, they emphasised the need to adopt scientific cultivation practices, including the use of quality planting materials, appropriate spacing and suitable host plants, as sandalwood is a parasitic species that depends on host plants for its growth and survival.
Given its relatively long gestation period, the scientists recommended cultivating sandalwood on land unsuitable for other commercial crops.
On red sanders, the scientists observed that while the trees showed impressive physical growth under Nagaland's climatic conditions, heartwood development remained slow and had not attained the quality required for commercial purposes.
They advised the department to exercise caution in recommending the species to farmers and called for further technical studies.
Based on the findings, Sema directed department officials to organise training and awareness programmes to educate farmers on scientific sandalwood cultivation, develop appropriate schemes and work towards formulating a long-term policy for its cultivation and trade in the state.
Highlighting the potential of sandalwood alongside other commercial crops such as coffee, rubber, agarwood and teak, Sema said commercial tree cultivation could generate employment opportunities in rural areas and contribute to strengthening the state's economy.
He stressed that farmers must understand the science behind cultivating long-gestation plantation crops such as sandalwood and red sanders before committing their limited land resources.
He also urged them to follow recommended cultivation practices and technical guidance from scientific institutions and the department to ensure ecologically sustainable and economically viable plantations.
Cautioning farmers against exaggerated claims and false promises by commercial nurseries, Sema underscored the importance of procuring quality planting materials and relying on scientifically validated information before taking up commercial plantations.