Agarwood:
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).
- 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.
- West Bengal and North-Eastern States of India namely Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram,Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
- 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.
- 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
