Bengaluru, May 7 (IANS) In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), the government-owned manufacturer of the iconic Mysuru Sandal Soap, has launched a major initiative to prevent sandalwood theft, Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil announced on Thursday.

As part of the initiative, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details. They will also be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation.

If the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken towards their consideration and implementation, the minister said.

Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.

With a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysuru, on June 4, he said.

On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.

Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats from theft in recent years. Illegal felling and smuggling of sandalwood have continued for decades. Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.

“In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale,” he said.

Over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonnes of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their accounts, Patil added.

–IANS

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