Minister said KSDL will fund anti-theft tech for farmers, with awards for growers, police, forest staff, informants
BENGALURU
Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) has announced a new initiative to protect sandalwood trees and reduce theft across the state said Large and Medium Industries Minister M. B. Patil on Thursday.
Under this plan farmers scientists and organisations are invited to share new machines or ideas that can help stop sandalwood theft.
They will be allowed to show their technology to KSDL officials and if it works well the government will consider using it and support its rollout.
Minister Patil said KSDL will bear the cost of adopting useful anti-theft technologies to protect farmers who grow sandalwood on their land.
To encourage cultivation four top sandalwood supplying farmers will be honoured on June 4 the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
On the same day police and forest staff who have worked hard to catch sandalwood thieves will also be rewarded along with citizens who gave helpful information.
He said theft of sandalwood has been a long-standing problem and even though strict laws exist convictions remain low in many cases.
In this situation the organisation must support farmers with both legal help and modern technology so that more people feel safe to grow sandalwood.
So far in the last three years KSDL has bought 174.5 metric tonnes of sandalwood from farmers and paid ₹6.08 crore directly into their bank accounts.
Officials said the aim of the programme is to protect valuable sandalwood trees support farmers and strengthen Karnataka’s famous Mysuru sandal soap industry through innovation and public participation.
They added that community involvement and new technology will play a key role in reducing illegal cutting of trees and increasing trust between farmers and government agencies.
The initiative is also expected to create better income opportunities for growers and ensure steady supply of raw material for KSDL in the coming years.
It further stated that KSDL remains committed to working with farmers experts and security agencies to protect sandalwood resources reduce theft cases and promote sustainable cultivation practices across Karnataka while encouraging innovation-driven solutions from the public for long-term benefits and strengthen rural economy and farmer confidence in Karnataka state.
