S M Krishna: A reformer who initiated liberalisation of draconian Sandalwood rules, favouring farmers

"The Sandalwood cultivation reform allowed the farmers to grow sandalwood and enrich themselves and also the environment and the country,” a former forest ministry secretary said.

Mysuru, DHNS: A C Lakshmana, former Karnataka Forest secretary, recalled how S M Krishna effected the liberalisation of the draconian sandalwood rules, favouring the farmers, when he was chief minister.

“Whether it was on the Maharaja’s College tennis court, Mumbai Raj Bhavan or as Union Minister of External Affairs, S M Krishna was a responsive and responsible politician-statesmen. We remember his charismatic smile carried throughout his life.” said the Mysuru-based retired IFS office of Mandya origin.

“By the time Krishna became CM in 1999, I had retired as Forest secretary. But, when he was Industries Minister I worked with him because we provided forest produce as raw materials to industries. Even after my retirement, he would give an audience and consider our words in the public interest,” Lakshmana noted.

“When I approached him, seeking an amendment to the sandalwood law for the benefit of farmers, he initiated the process. However, its implementation was delayed, due to the hesitation and disinterest of the department seniors. The reform allows the farmers to grow sandalwood and enrich themselves and also the environment and the country,” former forest ministry secretary said.

“My elder brother studied with S M Krishna at Maharaja’s College in Mysuru. And, he was also my brother’s tennis guru,” Lakshmana recalled.