Fallen Sandalwood Tree Turns 85-Year-Old Bengaluru Man into a Millionaire Overnight

Monsoon storms usually bring tales of destruction and property damage. However, for 85-year-old N.G. Keshari, a resident of Bengaluru, a fierce storm brought the windfall of a lifetime. A 40-year-old sandalwood tree standing in his backyard was uprooted by heavy rains, ultimately earning him a staggering Rs 28 lakh and a prestigious state honor.

Decades of Dedication and Protection

The story began four decades ago when a small sandalwood sapling naturally sprouted in Keshari's courtyard. Instead of clearing it away, he carefully nurtured the plant. Over the years, it grew into a massive tree, spreading its signature rich fragrance throughout the neighborhood.

However, the sweet scent also attracted the unwanted attention of timber smugglers. Recognizing the threat, Keshari took proactive measures to secure the valuable tree. He constructed a robust iron cage around the trunk, fiercely protecting it from thieves for decades.

The Storm and the Official Protocol

In June of this year, severe monsoon winds and heavy rainfall caused an adjacent tree to collapse directly onto the sandalwood tree, bringing it crashing to the ground.

Rather than lamenting the loss, the responsible octogenarian immediately followed the law. He notified the local forest department about the fallen tree. Once he received the necessary official clearance, the massive trunk was transported to the government sandalwood depot located in Mysuru for formal evaluation.

A Financial Windfall and State Recognition

At the depot, officials weighed the timber and were astounded to discover it weighed a massive 1 tonne. Because of its premium quality, the wood was promptly purchased by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited. This legal sale resulted in a massive net profit of approximately Rs 28 lakh for Keshari.

The story does not end with the financial reward. Acknowledging his exceptional care and determination to protect the tree from smugglers for 40 years, the Karnataka government officially honored N.G. Keshari with the ‘Sandalwood Shiromani’ award, celebrating his lifelong contribution to environmental conservation.