# An 85-Year-Old Bengaluru Man's Fallen Sandalwood Tree Just Earned Him Rs 28 Lakh and a State Honour

> An around 40-year-old sandalwood tree in the courtyard of 85-year-old N.G. Kesari's Bengaluru home fell during a storm, but it earned him about Rs 28 lakh and the state's 'Sandalwood Shiromani' award.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Success Stories · **Published:** 2026-07-06 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/bengaluru-ke-85-varshiya-n-g-kesari-ko-chndana-ke-gire-pera-se-mile-28-lakha-rupaye-sarakara-ne-diya-khasa-sammana-5249 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Sandalwood tree, Sandalwood Shiromani, Bengaluru news, N.G. Kesari, Forest department, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents

For 85-year-old N.G. Kesari, a resident of Bengaluru, a tree crashing down during a storm turned out to be anything but bad news. A roughly 40-year-old sandalwood tree that had stood in the courtyard of his house came crashing down in heavy rain and gusty winds, and that very tree made him richer by about Rs 28 lakh almost overnight. On top of that, the state government honoured him with the 'Sandalwood Shiromani' award for years of patiently protecting and nurturing the tree.

## A sandalwood sapling that grew on its own
About four decades ago, a sandalwood sapling sprouted on its own in the courtyard of Kesari's home. He had neither planted it nor planned to cultivate it, but he began watering and tending to the tiny plant anyway. Over the years, it grew into a massive, sturdy sandalwood tree whose fragrance began spreading through the surrounding area.

## Its fragrance also attracted timber thieves
As the tree grew bigger and more fragrant, it increasingly caught the attention of timber thieves looking to steal the valuable wood. Sensing the risk, Kesari had a sturdy iron cage built around the tree to keep it safe from any harm, a precaution that would later prove extremely valuable.

## A neighbouring tree crashed onto it during a storm
This June, Bengaluru witnessed heavy rain and a fierce storm, during which a large tree standing nearby fell onto the sandalwood tree. The impact brought the decades-old sandalwood tree crashing down as well. But instead of treating it as a loss, Kesari immediately followed the rules and informed the forest department.

## Inspection at the Mysuru depot put its weight at nearly a tonne
After receiving the forest department's permission, the fallen sandalwood tree was sent to the government sandalwood depot in Mysuru. An inspection there revealed that the tree weighed close to one tonne, making it an exceptionally valuable find.

## Karnataka Soaps and Detergents bought it for Rs 28 lakh
The sandalwood was later purchased by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, earning Kesari a net profit of about Rs 28 lakh.

## Years of care rewarded with the Sandalwood Shiromani honour
Beyond the money, Kesari's years of protecting and conserving the sandalwood tree earned him the state government's 'Sandalwood Shiromani' award. The honour recognises his patience and his personal commitment to safeguarding the tree.

## What this means for you
- **Across India:** The case shows that following the rules, protecting a sandalwood tree and promptly informing the forest department, can bring an ordinary citizen a legitimate profit worth lakhs of rupees.
- **In Bengaluru:** For residents, the story is a reminder to safeguard any sandalwood tree growing on their property, since its fragrance can attract timber thieves.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How old was the sandalwood tree?
The tree was about 40 years old and stood in the courtyard of Kesari's home.

### 2. How much profit did Kesari make from the tree?
The sale of the sandalwood earned him a net profit of about Rs 28 lakh.

### 3. Who bought the sandalwood?
Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited purchased the sandalwood.

### 4. How exactly did the tree fall?
In June, during heavy rain and a storm, a large tree nearby fell onto the sandalwood tree, bringing it down as well.

### 5. How much did the tree weigh?
An inspection at the government sandalwood depot in Mysuru found it weighed close to one tonne.

### 6. What honour did Kesari receive?
The state government gave him the 'Sandalwood Shiromani' award for his patience and for protecting and conserving the tree.

### 7. How old is N.G. Kesari?
He is 85 years old and lives in Bengaluru.

### 8. How did the sandalwood sapling first appear?
About four decades ago, a sandalwood sapling grew on its own in the courtyard of his house, and he raised it by watering and tending to it himself.

## Inspiration & Lessons
- **Patience eventually pays off:** Kesari watered and tended an unplanned sapling for four decades, showing how sustained, quiet effort can eventually deliver a huge reward.
- **Don't take conservation lightly:** Sensing the threat from timber thieves, he had an iron cage built around the tree, proving that protecting something valuable requires timely action.
- **Following the rules pays off:** After the tree fell, he immediately informed the forest department, which ensured he received both the full legal profit and public recognition.
- **Honesty earns recognition:** Years of careful upkeep and rule-following brought him not just financial gain but also the 'Sandalwood Shiromani' honour.

---
_TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._