Sandalwood Forest Ecology and Conservation in Mysuru

Mysuru district contains some of Karnataka's most significant sandalwood-bearing forest areas, particularly in the Bandipur-Nagarhole corridor. The Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) is a hemi-parasitic tree that attaches its roots to neighbouring plants for partial nutrition, making plantation cultivation complex. Mysuru's sandalwood forests are government-owned and strictly controlled — private ownership and felling are prohibited. The Karnataka Forest Department operates the world's only government sandalwood oil extraction factory in Mysuru, producing certified pure sandalwood oil for the global aromatherapy and cosmetics market. Traditional knowledge among forest communities distinguishes sandalwood trees by heartwood colour and fragrance intensity, identifying the premium-quality trees without cutting.