Agarwood

30.07.2024

Agarwood

Why in the news?

India has successfully prevented inclusion of Aquilaria malaccensis (agarwood) in the Review of Significant Trade (RST) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

About Agarwood:

• Agarwood or Gaharu as it is known in many Asian countries is resinous heartwood that occurs in trees belonging to the genus Aquilaria.
• It is a fast-growing, subtropical forest tree.
• It grows at elevations from a few meters above sea level to about 1000 meters, with approx. 500 meters being most ideal.
• Distribution: West Bengal and North-Eastern States of India namely Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram,Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

Required Climatic condition

• This is a tropical tree which grows over high rainfall tracts throughout humid regions.
• The region experiences low temperature variations between 20ºC to 28ºC and relative humidity around 80%.
• Soil: It grows over sandy loam and slightly acidic soils.

Application of the Agarwood

• Highly valued for its traditional uses as incense, the extracts (agarwood oil) of plants are also used in water-based perfumes.
• It is also utilized in the aroma industry, medicine preparations, preparations of air fresheners and purifiers.
• The essential oil extracted from agarwood has anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic and antioxidant properties.

Conservation status

• IUCN: Critically Endangered
• CITES: Appendix II

                                                                  Source: The Hindu

Ques :- With reference to Agarwood, consider the following statements:

1. It is a fast-growing subtropical forest tree.

2. It requires sandy loam and slightly acidic soils for its growth.

3. It is only found in the Western Ghats region.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

Answer B