TV
The Odisha government is set to conduct the fourth phase of a global e-auction of red sandalwood logs on April 9. The auction will be carried out through an e-tendering process, allowing international buyers to participate in the sale of this valuable wood.
This information was disclosed in a written response by the Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia to a question raised by MLA Arun Sahoo in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday.
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Red Sandalwood in Odisha: A Precious Resource
Odisha has a total of 4,539 red sandalwood trees, out of which 2,071 have grown naturally while the remaining 2,468 were planted as part of afforestation efforts.
Recognizing the economic and ecological significance of red sandalwood, the Odisha government sought permission from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. As a result, an export restriction on 810.1894 metric tons of red sandalwood has been lifted, permitting its sale until September 6, 2025.
E-Auction and Revenue Generation
Following approval, the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) has initiated steps to sell 809.7844 metric tons of red sandalwood logs through a global e-auction and e-tendering process. The process has been divided into multiple phases, and so far, three phases have already been completed.
Sales in Previous Phases: A total of 38.7082 metric tons of red sandalwood logs have been sold.
Revenue Generated: These sales have fetched a significant revenue of over Rs 13,70,07,279.
Maintenance and Monitoring Costs
Ensuring the security and proper upkeep of the red sandalwood stock is a costly affair. The annual expenditure for maintenance and monitoring of these logs amounts to over Rs 1 crore.
With the upcoming e-auction on April 9, Odisha is expected to generate substantial revenue while ensuring the legal and sustainable trade of this highly valuable wood.
