Distinguished as the oldest and most renowned Forestry and Environmental Symposium in South Asia, the International Forestry and Environment Symposium is the premier event where researchers, academia, professionals, policy makers and the industry meet to network, discuss and learn about the latest developments in forestry and environment in the region.

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What is Agarwood?

Agarwood is a highly fragrant and very valuable resin produced in the stems, branches and roots of certain tree species of family Thymelaeaceae. Agarwood is believed to be the most expensive wood in the world because of resinous fragrant heartwood. The main species are scientifically known as Aquilaira, Gyrinops, Aetoxylon and Gonystylus. Among those four genera, the first two are the most popular ones in the market. Agarwood is not naturally produced inside the trees and it is produced only as a result of a first line of a defence mechanism of the tree to prevent entering intruders such as fungi, bacteria into the stem.

Agarwood producing species are distributed from Assam of India to Papua New Guinea. Among those countries, Thailand, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea are famous in producing agarwood in large scales to the intentional market.

Uses of Agarwood

The use of agarwood for perfume production extends back several thousands of years, and is referenced, for example, in the Old Testament several times using the term ‘aloes’. The resin is highly sought after for religious, medical, ceremonial and domestic activities by Asian Buddhists and Moslems. In addition to that, a large demand is seen for agarwood in Southeast Asia, Middle East and United States as a perfumery agent. The extreme value of the agarwood resin depends on the oleoresin content of the wood. For instance, first grade agarwood is one of the most expensive natural raw materials in the world, with prices in consumer countries ranging from a few dollars per kg for low quality material to more than US$ 30,000 per kg for top quality wood. Agarwood oil also fetches similarly high prices.

Agarwood and Walla patta in 91´ĢÃŊ

Walla patta, scientifically known as Gyrinops walla was a tree which had no commercial value a few years back suddenly came under the spot light in 91´ĢÃŊ due to frequent effort on smuggling out of the country. The reason of smuggling was believed to be the resinous tissue called agarwood which is produced inside the stem of this particular tree.

Aquilaria trees are native to Asia from northern India to Vietnam and Indonesia. However, none of the species of the Aquilaria genus has been recorded in 91´ĢÃŊ. Walla patta is the only member present in 91´ĢÃŊ of the genus Gyrinops. There are strong reasons to believe that Walla patta is endemic to 91´ĢÃŊ, mainly because evidences are not available on its presence of other countries.

Walla patta is a medium-tall tree which grows up to 15 m in height with straight, slender trunk with a small, rounded crown. It bears a thin, brownish-grey bark which is smooth and strongly fibrous. Therefore its bark is used as a binding material by the villagers. Twigs are slender and wiry, rather shining and chestnut-brown in colour when young. Leaves are oblong and 3.0-9.0 cm x 1.2-5.0 cm with a short, rather abrupt, bluntish acumen up to 1 cm long. Inflorescence is terminal or few flowered with umbel-like heads. Flowers are yellowish-white and the size of the calyx tube is 4-10 mm which is narrow.

Illegal harvesting of Walla patta

Catching the smugglers of Walla patta has become a frequent event in 91´ĢÃŊ and it has been given a huge publicity by both electronic and printed media since 2012. Unfortunately, the facts given in most of such media articles are very much misleading and forcing the poor people to cut the trees for nothing. However, thus publicity increased the awareness which cause an immense destruction of this valuable resource.

Agarwood oil production

Various techniques are used for agarwood oil extraction such as hydro-distillation, solvent extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages. The classical method that is currently used in commerce for the agarwood oil extraction is hydro-distillation. This method consumes 7-10 days and high energy for extraction. The supercritical fluid carbon dioxide extraction is known as non-flammable, non-toxic, chemically stable and less energy consumption method. It provides some advantages over classical method, since super critical carbon dioxide has low viscosity, high diffusivity, good transport properties and gives faster extraction and high yields.

Present situation of agarwood producing species

International demand for agarwood is increasing and over the past decade it has resulted in over-exploitation in all agarwood producing countries. Poaching increases tree mortality, reduces the growth rate of pre-adults and adults, and decreases the percentage of adults that reproduce. Loss of lowland forest habitats also threatens populations of these species. Agarwood producing species are becoming more difficult to find, as reported by collectors, non-infected trees are increasingly being felled and collection is taking place within protected areas.

This over-use of agarwood producing species has therefore seriously affected the natural resources of all Aquilaria and Gyrinops species capable of producing agarwood, thus making these endangered species listed in Appendix II of the Convention on Internal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 2004.

However, it is encouraging to see the trend of establishment of plantations for the commercial benefits especially using various species of Aquilaria in many countries of the Asia.

Research conducted by the Forest Management Group of 91´ĢÃŊ

at of University of Sri Jayewardeneura  headed by Dr. Upul Subasinghe started conducting research on agarwood formation in Walla patta for the first time in the history. They were able to scientifically prove the quality of naturally formed Walla patta to that is commercially produced by Aquilaria species. Upon the success of those findings, National Research Council of 91´ĢÃŊ and Sadaharitha Plantations Limited funded them with Rs. 11.6 million to conduct further research on several aspects of commercialisation of Walla patta which was collaborated with Dr. Dhanushka Hettiarachchi, Senior Scientist of Wescorp Group of Companies, Australia. Identification of the resin differences, most suitable areas for plantation development, best nursery practices, differences of traditional agarwood resin inducement techniques used in South Asian countries are some of the objectives of the above mentioned project and the results were very promising. In addition, several other research projects were conducted to identify the most suitable biological methods of agarwood resin inducement in Walla patta with the collaboration of Department of Botany of the same university and 91´ĢÃŊ Rubber Research Institute. The findings were published in reputed international journal and conferences of 91´ĢÃŊ, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Read More:

Dr Subasinghe explains How to create perfect agarwood from Wallapatta

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Senior Lecturer
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science,
Faculty of Applied Sciences
91´ĢÃŊ

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What is agarwood?

Agarwood is the dark resinous heartwood that is formed in trees such as the Aquilaria and Wallapatta, which belong to the same family. Its significance lies in the distinctive fragrance it emanates. The use of agarwood has a long history as far back as 500 years ago. People in South Asia and the Middle East are known have used it constantly. Because of this characteristic fragrance it has become an important ingredient in the production of incense and perfumes.

Production of agarwood in Wallapatta

According to Dr Subasinghe’s research, the agarwood produced in wallaptta carries a similar type of chemical composition to that of agarwood extracted from Aquilaria, which is currently in market. However the natural creation of agarwood resin is rather a slow process. It does not occur in every wallapatta tree either and when it does occur, it may be a small quantity at a specific area of the tree alone. The process of producing agarwood is a sort of reaction by the tree to a fungus infection growing on a damage to the trunk.

Wallapatta as an economic resource

The research team at the university are focusing on developing the formation of agarwood in wallapatta. Their present concentration is on finding the most furtive area in the country to grow trees that produce the best quality resin. And while they search the location, there is also an aim to expedite the naturally slow formation process and to spread the formation in more parts of the tree . These research aims hope to bring about high quality agarwood in more quantities in faster production. Dr.Upul Subasinghe states that they hope to reach results in about another one and half years, and that with these results they can advise how to create a perfect agarwood supply for its growing market.

Wallapatta takes about 15 years to grow into its fullest and by that time it could reach to two and half feet in circumference and up to 12 meters in height. With the keen interest the market shows for agarwood, people have relentlessly begun to cut wallapatta in hope of selling them. However since every tree does not produce agarwood resin, most of the cut trees are wasted, as they do not possess any other significant value without this particular resin.

The research team is confident that they can provide an efficient method to develop this market with their findings. So they would like to urge the public to preserve wallapatta trees till they can come out with the artificial treatment to trees to form more agarwood. A well controlled, well developed growing of wallapatta can be a good eco friendly economic resource in future.

Research Paper: Agarwood-type Resin from Gyrinops walla Gaertn: A New Discovery (Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, 

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Media briefing was organised by CAFFE

Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe expressed her views at a media briefing organised by CAFFE (Campaign for Free and Fair Elections) with the facilitation of its Executive Director, Mr Keerthi Tennakoon.
The Panellists and their focus for the briefing were as follows;
Myself – Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe – Environment
Mr Mano Thiththawella – the former Advisor to President and CEO, EAP Group – Business
Mr. Chris Tilaka –Sri Dharmakirti, Chairman, National Ocean Affairs
Committee – Banking and SMEs
Mr Ajith Amarasekera – CEO, Swarnamahal – Consumer Affairs

Main areas of focus

The main areas of focus are power and energy, transport, industry, sustainable housing and lifestyles, waste management, agriculture, land use and forestry. Adoption of the environmental and climate change concerns into national and sectoral plans and programs is mandatory.
Strategic Environmental Assessments had been conducted in certain Provinces of the country and need to be conducted in all the Provinces. They use the physical, biological, socio economic and cultural attributes and potential and zone the areas into their best land use type including conservation and development. These findings need to be properly incorporated into the National Physical Plan and all the other sub national and sectoral plans to enable planned development avoiding haphazardness.

Energy

With regards to energy, it was stressed that rather than resorting to an
environmentally unsustainable option like coal, less polluting alternatives
such as natural gas need to be strongly promoted while working on achieving
the target of 20% of the energy demand to be met by renewable resources by
2020. The attention on solar energy as grid connected solar, solar homes and
net metering using roof top solar need to be enhanced significantly. Tax
reliefs and cost reductions need to be done to encourage investors as well as
home owners to produce solar energy. Biomass also needs enhancement
significantly.

Sustainable Transport

With regards to sustainable transport options, mass transit systems need to be
encouraged further while discouraging the single user vehicles. With regards
to the former, the present public transport need to be significantly improved
by way of introducing more public buses, Bus Rapid Transits which would
travel on dedicated lanes on the road, Monorails/ improving the railways,
improving the water transport where feasible. Incentives need to be provided
for car pooling and more public car parks and shuttle buses need to be
introduced. The import taxes of vehicles with reduced GHG emissions such
as electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles etc. need to be reduced so that they
would be more affordable. The tax policies need to be consistent.

Industry

With regards to the Industry, green industries need to be promoted using
facilitation and imposition of penalties for mal practices. ‘Polluter Principle’
which was reintroduced after the Coca Cola incident need to be consistent.
For the industries with low ecological footprints tax wavers and other
monetary benefits need to be provided. For the goods which produce
hazardous waste a tax will be imposed to the product and this difference will
be credited to a separate account either in Central Environmental Authority or
Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and will be used only for
encouraging environmentally sound operations.

Household and commercial sector

With regards to the household and commercial sector, emphasis should be on
adopting environmentally friendly technologies which promotes sustainable
development while conserving the resources. The ban of polythene for
consumer use need to be consistent and production of alternatives need to be
further supported. Revision of the building codes to include environmental
and climate change concerns such as having roof top solar, rainwater
harvesting, recycling and reuse of water, inclusion of waste management
equipment as appropriate etc. The energy labelling in all appliances need to
be further promoted.

Agriculture

With regards to the agriculture, emphasis need to be made on organic
agriculture by providing subsidies for organic fertilisers, enhancing organic
markets etc.

Forestry

With regards to forestry, forest plantations/enrichment of natural forests in
areas need to be done and this can be ably assisted by Strategic
Environmental Assessments. Equal attention need to be placed on
maintaining the established forest estates.

Waste Management

With regards to waste management, public private partnerships need to be
further enhanced in waste collection, storage and proper disposal. Sanitary
landfills needs to be constructed to service all the Provinces. These could also
take care of the hazardous wastes and be instrumental in generating energy
from waste.

Check this in Hiru News

– Hiran

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The International Forestry and Environment Symposium is one of the prime events organized by the Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, which inaugurated back in 1995. It helps to discuss the latest developments in the field of forestry and environment science. As it deals with research done by both veteran and juvenile researchers, the symposium gives a chance to look at many angles concerning this subject, as well as to provide future projects and research a guidance.

This year’s symposium was chaired by Dr.Prasanthi Gunawadene and was coordinated by Dr.Daham Jayawardene. Vice Chancellor Prof. Sampath Amaratunge graced the Inauguration ceremony as the chief guest.

Watch Highlights of the symposium 2015

International Forestry and Environment Symposium – Glimpses of past 20 years

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Please Contact 0771115565 or 0112758414 for more information.

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The Program was conducted for Grade 6 Students of Colombo International School by at Department of Foresrtry and Environment Science, University of Sri Jayewardeneapura. Dr Pirayan Pererea and Demostrators of the Department particiapted as resource persons.

Pixed By: Trishan Chamara Perera

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