The multipurpose usability of wood has helped it become a household raw material. The usage of wood is widespread from large scale industrial usage to small scale domestic usage. Different types of trees produce different types of woods. Due to its availability in various types, timber is considered as a raw material, capable of catering to various ranges of usage. However, this advantage of being multipurpose has led to overuse of timber, leading to deforestation around the world. And as we have witnessed, the deteriorating environmental issues have created quite a buzz around the world. Deforestation can account for the majority of these issues. To resist these unwanted environmental changes, cutting down of trees has been disapproved of, which automatically reduced the production of wood around the world. One of the main reasons for the increase in the price is the disparity between the supply and the demand. However, indigenously, a little bit of relief in the price can be expected but when the wood is imported, the price rises up even higher. Less supply of wood and the responsibility of exporting them gives an inbuilt right to increase the price while selling it to the other country. Woods like sandalwood, mahogany are inherently expensive irrespective of their availability. The fact that they can be used for medicinal, decorative as well as spiritual purposes, which is unlike most trees, have led to the said increase in price. There are a very limited number of trees that produce wood which can serve more purposes than the conventional amount. Hence, the special treatment and hence the hike in the price. Another reason that makes wood expensive is its age. And by chance, if the wood has been under the axe of a fine craftsman, the price will increase even more. We have seen a lot of auction houses and pawn shops dealing with furniture from the royal era. One reason for the high price is definitely the nostalgia and the quality of the wood, another is the craftsmanship on the wood that is a rare sight in today’s world. Speaking of the strength of the wood, it was impeccably higher in the old times. That combined with the perfect climate to support healthy trees gave rise to wood whose quality cannot be matched today. Wooden furniture, wooden crafts may come across as a rare sight these days. The unavailability of wood, the growing concerns of deforestation and the resultant price hike may be a boon in disguise for the uproaring concerns. The price hike has contributed to decreased abuse of wood. Also, it has led to more people looking for alternatives that look the same and serve the same purpose. Though the situation is reversible, it will take time before we get to what we consider the normal price and availability of wood.
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