•Sandalwood oil is commonly known for its woodsy, sweet smell and is frequently used as a base for products such as incense, perfumes, cosmetics, and aftershave.
•It is easily blended with other oils, making it desirable as a mix into other fragrances.
Endangered East Africa’s sandalwood tree is being illegally harvested at an alarming rate that could see it become extinct.
Experts made the revelation on Wednesday during a virtual meeting aimed at creating awareness on the illicit trade of sandalwood and its impact on the target communities.
Kenya Forest Research Institute's forest products researcher Wycliffe Mauta said smuggling and trafficking of sandalwood are always rising due to the value and cost involved.
“The whole plant even the roots have oil that is uprooted and will go extinct if smuggling and trafficking are not checked,” he warned.
The tree is highly valued for its essential oil that is used in the cosmetic industry.
Sandalwood oil is commonly known for its woodsy, sweet smell and is frequently used as a base for products such as incense, perfumes, cosmetics, and aftershave.
It is easily blended with other oils, making it desirable as a mix into other fragrances.
In 2018, the East African sandalwood tree was listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
It is also listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
Local youth are paid Sh30 per kilogram for wood and roots harvested from these trees.
The sandalwood ‘owners’ – those with rights to access public forests based on their location on community land are paid Sh300 per kg harvested.
The wood is transported from the forests on donkeys and stored in local homesteads, where middlemen provide onward transport for the product to nearby town centres.
The tree species are found in Northern Kenya, Baringo and Kajiado.
In many Asian communities, the oil is popular in socio-cultural and religious ceremonies as well as in traditional medicine.
On the international market, one litre of sandalwood oil sells for as much as $3 000 (Sh329,250)
In Kenya, the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013 is used in enforcing illegal exploitation and trade in sandalwood especially those that are harvested from community areas (areas not covered as forests or parks).
The tree is considered a trophy within the definition of the Act.
The Kenya Wildlife Service is the nationally designated authority to manage sandalwood.
Mauta said the top smugglers are well organised and highly connected.
“They influence the justice system and hence they cannot be arrested as security agencies were arresting the wrong people,” he said.
Mauta said communities have little knowledge about the value of the tree, a move that sees them short-changed.
“Residents need to be educated on the value involved and how they can benefit,” he said.
Mauta said communities should be guided on how to harvest the tree sustainably to curb smuggling and trafficking.
Kefri has a database that is being used to identify the tree species for purposes of prosecuting the culprits.
“Trees are living things that have cells. Each species has a unique pattern. We look at the pattern and compare with what we have and write a report that is taken to court for the prosecution to present a strong case,” he said.
Mauta said those legally harvesting the tree should be licensed.
Willis Okumu, a senior researcher with institute for security studies said sandalwood continues to be harvested, smuggled and trafficked in Kenya.
“A lot of people in government are involved. We were in Samburu tracing the networks that are being facilitated by state actors. Confiscated sandalwood has been disappearing,” Okumu said.
He said communities in Samburu refer to sandalwood as their cash crop and sustainable harvesting is critical.
He said harvested sandalwood is easily available in homesteads.
Okumu said community education on local uses of sandalwood is also necessary as the tree is used to treat many ailments and also to make herbal tea.
During the meeting, experts said there is a need to domesticate the tree for communities to reap benefits just like tea.
In 2007, the government banned the harvesting of sandalwood for five years.
The manner it was being exploited resulted in the loss of biodiversity and a critical medicinal resource for local communities.
The whole tree was being uprooted to extract the sandalwood oil, which is mostly found in the roots and trunk.
The ban however did not stem out smuggling and trafficking.
In April this year, six suspects were arrested in Emali, Makueni county while smuggling sandalwood worth Sh7.7 million to Tanzania.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris