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Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

Species: Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

Why in the News?

The Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) species is under threat as Tamil Nadu allowed the lapse of the Rosewood Conservation Act (1995–2025).

Species: Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

About Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia):

  • Type: Tall deciduous or semi-evergreen tree reaching up to 40 metres.
  • Native Range: Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Parambikulam ranges of Tamil Nadu; also found in parts of Southeast Asia.
  • Adaptation: Thrives in tropical monsoon climates; considered drought hardy.
  • Wood Characteristics: Heartwood ranges from golden brown to purplish-brown with darker streaks, releasing a rose-like scent when worked.
  • Durability: Fine-grained, resistant to rot and insects; known as the “ivory of the forests.”
  • Uses: Premium furniture, cabinetry, decorative veneers, and musical instruments.
  • Conservation Status:
    • Classified as Vulnerable by IUCN since 2018.
    • Included under Appendix II, regulating international trade through permits.

Legal Protection:

  • Indian Framework: Covered under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, regulating felling, harvest, and transport of timber.
  • Tamil Nadu Law (1995):
    • Prohibited cutting without government permission; extended in 2010 for 15 years.
    • Act lapsed in February 2025, exposing privately owned rosewood trees, especially in Nilgiri tea plantations, to felling.
[UPSC 2007] Dalbergia species is associated with which one of the following?

Options: (a) Cashew nut (b) Coffee (c) Tea (d) Rosewood*

 

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