Seasoning should be Mandatory to Protect our Wood Resources

  • November 14, 2026
  • 0

Timber seasoning before it’s end use is a long-neglected subject. Kiln Drying (KD) of wood was greatly needed in the country even earlier, but now it has become essential. Making both buyers and sellers aware of its utility is the joint responsibility of trade and government. It is necessary to raise awareness in every corner of the country.

It is surprising that when I entered the timber trade during the 1960s and 1970s, the market was well aware of seasoning, but over the past 50–60 years, we have forgotten its utility.

I believe that just as foreign buyers have made ISPM-1 (Heat Treatment) mandatory, similarly, Seasoning of Wood under IS 1141 should be made compulsory for doors, windows, packing pallets, crates, or boxes manufactured for domestic use as well. By doing so, we will be able to protect our country’s forests, agricultural produce (wood plantation), etc. Actually, seasoning should be done even before heat treatment, but mostly people do not pay attention to it.

Due to a shortage of seasoning chambers, we have to import Kiln Dried (KD) goods—whose demand is increasing day by day—from foreign countries by making payments in dollars or Euros. My suggestion is that the government should establish wood seasoning clusters in certain parts of the country. Since the financial condition of many saw millers is not very good, seasoning chambers should be made mandatory along with subsidies, so that no one can sell wet timber. Along with seasoning, preservation is also extremely important.

Along with promoting the importance of wood seasoning to raise public awareness, a certification system similar to Hallmark or BIS should also be introduced. For this purpose, a certificate such as a ‘Seasoned Wood Certificate’ could be issued.

Even if such initiatives do not create an immediate impact on public awareness, people will gradually begin to understand their importance. Over time, this will lead to an increase in market demand for seasoned wood.

I hope that we will no longer just deliberate, but actually implement.