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India’s sandalwood trees, the country’s pride particularly of Karnataka are facing a serious threat with the return of the destructive Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD).

Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD)

• The disease was first reported from Coorg distinct of Karnataka State in 1903 by Barban.
• Two types of symptoms are produced
  • The common symptom called the ‘rosette spike’ is characterised by severe reduction in leaf size and reduction of internodes.
  • Symptom called ‘pendulous spike’ is due to continuous apical growth of individual shoots without proper thickening and results in drooping of shoots.
• The disease is transmitted through root contacts and insect vectors.
  • The disease can also be transmitted through Vinca rosea and vice versa through dodder.
  • The most common insect Vectors are Moonia alhimaculata and Nephotettix virescence.

Sandalwood Spike Disease in India

• The infection has resurfaced in the aromatic tree’s natural habitats in Karnataka and Kerala.
• With between 1 and 5% of sandalwood trees lost every year due to the disease.
  • Scientists warn that it could wipe out the entire natural population if measures are not taken to prevent its spread.
  • Also, they fear that any delay in arresting the trend may result in the disease spreading to cultivated sandalwood trees.
• 98,734 trees were extracted during 1917-1925 in Salem also due to SSD.
• Observes that presently it is very difficult to identify the symptoms of SSD.
  • It can be noticed only when the tree gets completely affected.
• Impact
  • Price of Indian sandalwood and its oil has risen significantly since 1995 at a rate of 20% annually mainly due to depletion in production.

Effort to combat the killer disease

• The IWST will join hands with the Pune-based National Centre for Cell Sciences for a three-year study, initiated by the Union Ministry of Ayush with a financial allocation of Rs. 50 lakh.
• The study will try to identity the vectors that transmit SSD.
  • Also identify alternative plant hosts, their ecological and epidemiological mapping besides examining optimisation of non-chemical methods of pest-management.

About Sandalwood

• Sandalwood being classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1998.
• Natural populations of sandalwood are available in Marayoor in Kerala and some patches of reserve forests and adjoining areas in Karnataka.
• India has been the traditional leader of sandalwood oil production for perfumery and pharmaceuticals.
• As early as 1792, Tippu Sultan had declared it a Royal Tree of Mysuru.

Source : The Hindu

Topic

GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Current Affairs Compilation : 28 September 2020