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What impact the amendments will have on sandalwood trade

Existing regulation Amendments Fallouts
Sandal tree exclusive property of the government. News trees grown in private land will not be state property. Standing trees in private lands remain state property
Failure on the part of landholder in informing about damage to sndal trees will attract penalty. The provision is done away with. The government can still take action through other provisions of the Act.
Cutting/uprooting/removal or damage to a government sandal tree will atract imprisonment of seven years and fine up to Rs 25,000. Imprisonment of up to 10 years and fine up to Rs 100,000. The provision is applicable to private landowners
Landowner responsible for preservation of sandal trees. Any case of injury or theft must be reported to the forest or police officer. Landowner cannot sell/fell trees without government sanction. Government can sell/auction trees in private lands without consent of landowners. Extraction and trade rights remain with the government. It admits, it can't give up absolute rights.
No person shall posses/store/sell sandalwood except under a license No change It helps the government retain monopoly over the trade.

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