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A storm brought down a 40-year-old tree, but what happened next stunned its 85-year-old owner. The fallen sandalwood changed his life in an unexpected way
Bengaluru News: In appreciation of his commitment to protecting and conserving the sandalwood tree over the years, the Karnataka government honoured Kesari with the ‘Sandalwood Shiromani’ award.
Bengaluru News: News of trees crashing during heavy rain usually brings stories of destruction and loss. But for 85-year-old NG Kesari from Bengaluru, a tree brought the opposite: a life-changing reward.
A sandalwood tree that had stood in the courtyard of his home for around 40 years was uprooted after heavy rain and strong winds in June. Instead of becoming a loss, the fallen tree eventually earned Kesari nearly Rs 28 lakh and a prestigious state honour for his years of dedication.
A Tree That Grew On Its Own
The story began about four decades ago when a sandalwood sapling sprouted naturally in Kesari’s courtyard. Rather than removing it, he chose to nurture the plant, watching it gradually grow into a mature tree.
As the tree flourished, its fragrance attracted attention; not just from admirers, but also from sandalwood smugglers and wood thieves. Determined to protect it, Kesari installed a sturdy iron cage around the tree, ensuring it remained safe for years.
Storm Brought It Down, But Rules Came First
During heavy rain and stormy weather in June, a large neighbouring tree crashed onto the sandalwood tree, bringing it down.
Instead of attempting to sell or dispose of the valuable timber himself, Kesari immediately informed the forest department. Following official procedures, he obtained the necessary permission before the tree was transported to the government sandalwood depot in Mysore.
Officials found that the sandalwood weighed approximately one tonne.
Rs 28 Lakh From A Lifetime Of Patience
The sandalwood was later purchased by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, one of the country’s largest users of sandalwood for its products.
After the sale, Kesari received a net return of around Rs 28 lakh, an unexpected reward for decades of careful protection.
Honoured For Conservation
The financial gain was only part of the recognition. In appreciation of his commitment to protecting and conserving the sandalwood tree over the years, the Karnataka government honoured Kesari with the ‘Sandalwood Shiromani’ award.
His story has become a rare example of how patience, responsible conservation, and following the law transformed what appeared to be a devastating loss into an extraordinary reward.
Bangalore, India, India
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