According to a study by scientists from the Bengaluru-based Institute of Wood Science & Technology (IWST), India’s sandalwood trees are facing a serious threat with the return of the destructive Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD).
- As per the study, the natural population of sandalwood in Marayoor of Kerala and various reserve forests in Karnataka, including MM Hills, are heavily infected with SSD.
- Since there is no cure as of now, there is no option but to cut down and remove the infected tree to prevent the spread of the disease.
- The Sandalwood Spike Disease is caused by phytoplasma — bacterial parasites of plant tissues — which are transmitted by insect vectors.
- 1 and 5% of sandalwood trees are losing every year due to the disease, it could wipe out the entire natural population if measures are not taken to prevent its spread.
- The disease was first reported in Kodagu in 1899.
- More than a million sandalwood trees were removed in the Kodagu and Mysuru region between 1903 and 1916, prompting the Maharaja of Mysuru to announce a reward in 1907 of ₹10,000 for anyone finding a remedy.
(Source: The Hindu )
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