‘Karas tree studies aid in agarwood theft loss’

Saving the trees: Researchers have developed several techniques to detect the presence of agarwood in karas and chandan trees that doesn’t involve the felling of these trees. — HAZIM FAUZI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Studies on karas trees and the production of aromatic resin known as gaharu or agarwood by researchers at universities and local research centres have reduced the issue of agarwood theft in natural forests, thus protecting the species from extinction.

Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) Natural Products Division, Herbal Product Development Programme research officer, Dr Abd Majid Jalil said the existence of the best karas trees and consistent production of quality agarwood through research have helped to overcome the issue.