Sandalwood spike disease (SSD) is fast killing sandalwood trees in Marayur, the largest natural sandalwood reserve in the world. Currently, 1,000-odd infected trees have dried up in the reserve. The disease, caused by bacterial parasites and transmitted by insects, had resulted in massive loss of sandalwood in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which along with Kerala contribute nearly 90% of sandalwood in the country.
M.G. Vinodkumar, Divisional Forest Officer, Marayur Sandalwood Division, told The Hindu that SSD mainly affected Reserve Number 52 and 54 near to the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. He said it was first identified at Reserve Number 51 nearly 20 years ago. There are no sandalwood trees in the area now. Whether the bacteria is water-borne, air-borne or through other mediums like earth is not known, he said.
