About Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus): Biology, Uses, and Conservation

 Red sandalwood (Pterocarpus Santalinus), an endangered timber tree species endemic to India’s Eastern Ghats region. It details the tree's botanical characteristics, noting that it is fast-growing but not aromatic like other sandalwood species, and highlights its defining attributes, such as its exceptional durability and distinctive dark red heartwood that deepens in color over time. Furthermore, its medicinal properties, particularly its use in Ayurvedic medicine for treating skin conditions and reducing inflammation, and lists its broad commercial applications in fine woodworking, dyeing, and handicrafts. Finally, this emphasises the critical conservation challenges facing the species due to overexploitation, discussing the legal frameworks required for its regulated and sustainable cultivation due to its 30-year maturation timeline.