Abandoned eucalyptus oil shed in Udhagamandalam Photo Courtesy: Rohan Premkumar
The Nilgiris’ world-renowned eucalyptus oil industry, almost as iconic as its home-made chocolates, teas and varkis, is on the verge of collapse. From more than 500 eucalyptus-producing sheds a decade ago, fewer than 20 are currently operating across the district as climate change affects eucalyptus trees and cheap, synthetic oils flood the market. This has affected the livelihood of thousands of people dependent on the industry.
AK Sankaranarayanan, who has been working in eucalyptus oil sheds for more than 25 years, said that the number of oil producing sheds in Udhagamandalam and surrounding areas was more than 50 a few years ago, but now it has reduced to less than five.
One of the handful of eucalyptus oil producing sheds in Udhagamandalam Photo Courtesy: Rohan Premkumar
“One reason is that eucalyptus trees are diseased, and the leaves are not suitable for oil production,” he said.
Dying trees
M Mohan, the owner of a shed near Khandal in Udhagamandalam, said that the eucalyptus tree itself started dying after the leaves started wilting about five years ago. ‘Earlier we used to run four sheds but now we run only one. Besides, more than 100 people used to supply us with leaves; Even now, only four/five people go to pick leaves,’ he said Hindu.
Inside the eucalyptus oil producing shed Photo Courtesy: Rohan Premkumar
M., a 60-year-old former laborer who collects leaves from near Old Gudalur Road. Madhu said she got Rs 10 per kg of leaves. “Earlier we could easily collect dry leaves, but now it is difficult to walk long distances. And so, many of us have quit,” she said. Earlier, people collecting eucalyptus leaves were a common sight near the forested areas of the Nilgiris, but due to the crisis faced by the industry, most of the people have shifted to other jobs, she added.
Impact of climate change
Godwin Vasant Bosco, a Nilgiri restoration ecologist, said he believes climate change has adversely affected the health of the trees. “It’s not just eucalypts, but also batas and native sholas,” he said, adding, “Climate change is compromising the health and immunity of trees, weakening them, making them more prone to disease and falling.” Affected by fire.
S. Siddharth, another shed owner in Pudumund, estimates that only about 1,000 liters of Nilgiri oil are produced in Nilgiris per week. “But thousands of shops continue to sell eucalyptus oil, most of which is adulterated,” he said.
‘Oil of camphor sold as oil of eucalyptus’
Mr. Siddharthan alleged that while it was being sold in the shop as eucalyptus oil, there was nothing but camphor oil packaged as eucalyptus oil brought from the Nilgiris. “There has also been news that sellers are importing Nilgiri oil from other countries”, he said, adding that the government should crack down on false advertisements to protect the industry in the Nilgiris.
“Sellers should be transparent, and if they are selling oil imported from other countries, or camphor oil, they should be transparent and package it as such. Labeling these products as Nilgiris Eucalyptus oil is unethical, as it contributes to lowering the price of our oil,” he said.
Dried eucalyptus leaves are being prepared to make eucalyptus oil at a shed in Udhagamandalam Photo Courtesy: Rohan Premkumar
Producers like Mr. Siddharthan believe that unless the government takes initiatives to promote the industry, it is only a matter of time before the industry is completely destroyed. “Earlier, we used to sell a liter of oil for 1500 rupees, but now a liter of oil fetches hardly 900 rupees. Due to the limited amount of oil that can be produced and the impurities in it, it is financially impossible for us to continue producing oil,’ he said.
published – December 19, 2024 at 05:43 pm IST