Koraput: The sandalwood forests that once thrived in the jungles of Koraput district have now disappeared. The soil, water, and climate of the district were favorable for sandalwood trees, leading to widespread plantation during the reign of kings and feudal lords. These plantations later matured into full-grown forests. The sandalwood logs used for Lord Jagannath in Puri were once sourced from here. However, due to the increasing activities of sandalwood mafias and weak security arrangements, centuries-old sandalwood groves have been wiped out.
Before the trees could fully mature, the mafias have been cutting them down using various methods. Earlier, the jungles of Koraput were rich in sandalwood trees. Even the Forest Department had taken steps to plant new saplings and create sandalwood groves. But before these could grow strong, they are being felled by smugglers. A rare white sandalwood tree known locally as “Santala Album” could once be seen in the region, but it too is heading towards extinction.
The route to Simla in Nandapur was once lined with mature sandalwood trees on the hillsides. These trees used to release a fragrant aroma as the mature wood naturally cracked and emitted scent across long distances. Now, that fragrance is gone. The mafias have cleared out most of these trees. Only small trees remain.
Places like Nandapur, Patangi, Lamptaput, Gupteswar, Ramagiri, Ghatgumur, Devghati, Jaypur’s Mahulbhata, and areas near the Kolab Reservoir, including the Deomali hill route, still have small and large sandalwood trees. In some places like the IRBN campus along Koraput road, the big sandalwood trees are safe due to tight security. But in other regions, mafias are cutting them down with ease.
There is a growing demand for assigning the responsibility of protecting these trees to forest guards and local communities. There is also a need to establish small-scale sandalwood-based industries in Koraput. A new sandalwood plantation initiative was started in 2023, but the attention has since shifted elsewhere. Since the soil and environment in Koraput are ideal for sandalwood cultivation, it is essential to encourage the local youth—both men and women—to take up