The sandal depot at Marayur is buzzing with activity. Nearly 50 tribal members of the Vana Samrakshana Samithy (VSS) are cutting and cleaning sandalwood in preparation for an auction scheduled on August 7.
Marayur Range Officer G. Vinod, who supervises the work, says that this time there will be 5-kg lots at the auction so as to enable Ayurvedic medicine companies and temples to participate in the auction. The workers strive to perfect the wood, shaving off the peripheral portion, retaining only the core. Some workers are cleaning the roots and branches that are to be auctioned in different lots.About 60 tonnes of sandalwood is being manually segregated and made ready for the auction. Wood from uprooted trees, those seized from smugglers, and wood collected legally from private plots are placed for auction.
Marayur depot is the only place in the State where high-quality sandalwood is auctioned. The Kerala Forest Development Corporation sells sandalwood, but in small quantity.
One-third of the auctioned amount has to be paid within a week of the auction. The main buyer of Marayur sandal is Karnataka Soaps, says Mr. Vinod. This time, there will be many small buyers too, he says. The auction held on February 5 fetched Rs.23 crore.
