APRIL
African sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata), a small tree or shrub native to East Africa and parts of Asia, is treasured for its fragrant wood and essential oils. Known for its diverse medicinal, cultural, and commercial applications, this species has become a symbol of both natural wealth and ecological vulnerability.
A Multipurpose Tree of Great Value
The utility of African sandalwood spans centuries. Traditionally, communities across East Africa have used its bark, roots, leaves, and heartwood for treating chest infections, diarrhoea, malaria, joint pain, and fevers. It plays a central role in ethnomedicine and even veterinary applications, such as reducing fevers in livestock.
Its economic value lies in its essential oil, a component widely used in perfumes, incense, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. In addition to its use in the fragrance industry, the wood is also carved into mortars, pestles, building poles, and ceremonial items. The tree’s roots produce a red dye used for leather tanning and textile colouring. Even the fruits, while not commonly cultivated, are consumed during times of food scarcity.
A Species under Siege
The growing international demand for sandalwood oil—fetching up to $3,000 per litre—has resulted in widespread illegal harvesting. Despite bans implemented by countries like Kenya and Tanzania, smuggling continues across porous borders, often facilitated by corruption and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Kenya imposed a harvesting ban as early as 2007, but vast tracts of sandalwood continue to vanish from forests in Samburu, Marsabit, and Laikipia. Syndicates uproot the entire plant to access the oil-rich trunk and roots, using unofficial transport routes and even misusing government vehicles for trafficking.
South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania face similar challenges. In Tanzania, the government banned sandalwood trade in 2016, but illegal activity persists. Regulatory inconsistencies between neighbouring countries create legal loopholes that traffickers exploit, complicating regional conservation efforts.
Case Study: Sandalwood in Tanzania
Tanzania is home to several populations of Osyris lanceolata, particularly in regions such as Arusha, Manyara, Iringa, and Mbeya. A national resource assessment revealed densities of up to 76 individuals per hectare, with trees averaging 3.8 meters in height. Research has shown that trees growing in arid climates yield the highest quality oil, with santalol content—an essential oil marker—reaching up to 32.2%.
Despite its natural abundance, the species is under increasing pressure. The Tanzanian government and research institutions have begun promoting habitat suitability studies to identify optimal zones for sandalwood conservation and cultivation. These efforts are crucial for guiding reforestation and preventing further exploitation.
Conservation and the Path Forward
Efforts to protect African sandalwood are gaining momentum. Regional collaborations, including those led by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the ENACT organized crime program, are working to map the illicit trade routes and dismantle trafficking networks. At the grassroots level, community-based initiatives like tree-planting and agroforestry programs are empowering locals to shift from extraction to conservation.
Organizations like the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) are distributing seedlings for on-farm cultivation, ensuring that sandalwood can be grown sustainably without endangering wild populations.
Conclusion: A Future Rooted in Balance
African sandalwood stands at a crossroads—highly valued but dangerously overexploited. To ensure its survival, governments, conservationists, and local communities must work hand-in-hand to enforce existing laws, harmonize regional policies, and promote sustainable utilization.
From its role in traditional medicine and spiritual ceremonies to its contribution to the global fragrance industry, Osyris lanceolata is more than a tree—it is a cultural and ecological asset. Its story is a cautionary tale about unchecked demand, but also a hopeful one about restoration and resilience when humans choose to protect rather than plunder.
