The Odisha government is set to conduct the fourth phase of its global e-auction for red sandalwood logs on April 9, enabling international buyers to participate in the sale of the highly valuable wood through an e-tendering process.
The update was shared by Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia in a written reply to MLA Arun Sahoo during the Odisha Assembly session on Tuesday.
Odisha’s Red Sandalwood Stock and Permission for Sale
Odisha currently has 4,539 red sandalwood trees—2,071 grown naturally and 2,468 planted under afforestation programs. Acknowledging the economic potential of this rare resource, the state secured approval from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to lift export restrictions on 810.1894 metric tons of red sandalwood. The permission is valid until September 6, 2025.
Phased E-Auction for Revenue Generation
With the clearance in place, the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC) has been executing the global sale of 809.7844 metric tons of red sandalwood in multiple phases via e-auction and e-tendering. So far, three phases have been completed, selling 38.7082 metric tons of red sandalwood and generating revenue exceeding ₹13.70 crore.
High Cost of Security and Maintenance
Maintaining and safeguarding the valuable stock of red sandalwood is expensive, with the state spending over ₹1 crore annually on monitoring and upkeep.
The upcoming fourth phase is expected to attract global buyers and further boost the state’s revenue.
