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Aquilaria cumingiana: A Rare and Valuable Agarwood Species

Aquilaria cumingiana is a small evergreen tree, reaching up to 5 meters in height. Like other members of its genus, this tree produces precious agarwood when its heartwood is naturally infected by a fungus. Highly aromatic and prized for incense, perfume, and medicine, agarwood has been a sought-after commodity for centuries.

Why is Aquilaria cumingiana so valuable?
Source of Agarwood – Used in luxury perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine.
Natural Fiber Provider – The plant also yields a useful fiber for various applications.
Rare & Endangered – Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to overharvesting and habitat loss.

The Conservation Challenge
Due to its high commercial value, many trees are cut down prematurely—even those uninfected by the fungus—in an attempt to obtain the rare agarwood. This unsustainable practice has led to overexploitation and declining populations across its natural range.

Our Mission: Sustainable Cultivation & Conservation
To protect Aquilaria cumingiana and ensure a future for this valuable species, sustainable harvesting and ethical sourcing are essential. We support reforestation, responsible cultivation, and propagation efforts to preserve this unique tree for generations to come.

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Aquilaria malaccensis: The Queen of Agarwood

Aquilaria malaccensis, also known as Aloes wood or Malacca eaglewood, is the primary source of agarwood—a prized resinous heartwood used in luxury perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine. This tropical tree can grow up to 40 meters tall and 12 meters wide, boasting smooth, pale bark, sword-shaped leaves, and delicate white flowers.

Why is Aquilaria malaccensis so valuable?
Premium Agarwood Source – Its resin is one of the most sought-after for perfume and incense.
Medicinal Properties – Used in Western, Chinese, and Indian medicine to relieve spasms, lower fever, and even support cancer treatments.
Culinary Use – The bark and seeds are edible and can be used to flavor curries.

How is Agarwood Formed?
When infected by the parasitic fungus Phaeoacremonium parasitica, A. malaccensis produces fragrant, dark resin as a defense mechanism. This resin-soaked wood is then harvested for its unique aroma and therapeutic benefits.

Conservation Alert!
Due to overharvesting and high demand, Aquilaria malaccensis is classified as Critically Endangered. Unsustainable harvesting threatens wild populations, making ethical and sustainable sourcing essential.

Join Us in Preserving This Precious Tree!
Support sustainable agarwood farming and responsible sourcing to protect this legendary species for generations to come.

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DENR: P3.2M halaga ng agarwood nakumpiska sa 4 na suspek sa Rizal

Manila, Philippines (June 21, 2020) – Arestado ang apat katao ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) matapos maaktuhan ang mga ito na may dalang ilang kilo ng agarwood na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ng batas.

Nakilala ang mga nadakip na suspek na sina Ramil Ong, Bernie Bagay, Rizal Mofar at Arjhun Gaviola na naaresto ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng DENR’s Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force (EPETF) at NBI-Environmental Crime Division sa Pasig City at Cainta, Rizal noong Hunyo 8.

Nakumpiska ng mga environmental enforcers sa mga suspek ang tinatayang 20 kilo ng agarwood na may halagang P3.2 milyon.Ayon sa DENR ang agarwood ay isa sa pinakamahal na “raw materials” sa paggawa ng pabango na umaabot ang presyo sa P160,000 kada kilo sa Pilipinas.

Pinuri naman ni Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ang DENR at NBI dahil sa sakripisyo ng mga ito upang maaresto ang mga “environmental criminals” kahit na mahigpit na ipinatutupad ang “quarantine” upang mapigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19.

“This clearly sends out the message that the government’s campaign against environmental offenders remains unrelenting despite a pandemic that is wreaking havoc worldwide,” sabi pa ni Cimatu.

Nahaharap ang apat na suspek sa kasong paglabag sa Republic Act 9147 o ang Wildlife Resources and Protection Act at Presidential Decree 705 o mas kilala sa Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. Kasalukuyan din nakapiit ang mga ito sa NBI detention facility sa Manila habang hinihintay ang pagdinig sa kanilang kaso.

Ayon naman kay senior ecosystems management specialist at miyembro ng EPETF na si Rogelio Demelletes, Jr., ang kanilang mga nakumpiskang agarwood ay isa sa pinakamahal at magandang klase na nagmula pa sa mga kagubatan ng Mindanao partikular na sa mga probinsiya ng Surigao at Agusan.

Ang agarwood ay nagmula sa mga puno ng Lapnisan at Lanete na kapwa kasama sa national list ng mga nanganganib na Philippine plants base na rin sa inilabas na DENR Administrative Order 2007-01.

Sinabi pa ni Demelletes, ang high grade agarwood ay maibebenta hanggang US$30,000 kada kilo at ang pagbebenta nito ay dahilan upang manganib ang mga puno ng Lanete at Lapnisan.

Original news posted found on the link below.

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P3.2-M agarwood seized; 4 nabbed

Joint operatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested four individuals caught transporting several kilos of agarwood, a threatened and much sought-after tree species.

The four, identified as Ramil Ong, Bernie Bagay, Rizal Mofar and Arjhun Gaviola, were apprehended in two separate operations conducted by the DENR’s Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force (EPETF) and the NBI-Environmental Crime Division in Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal last 8 June.

The environmental enforcers seized from the suspects almost 20 kilos of agarwood valued at P3.2 million.

Agarwood is one of the most expensive raw materials used in perfumery, costing at least P160,000 per kilo in the Philippines.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu lauded DENR and NBI enforcers for their unrelenting efforts to go after environmental criminals despite the quarantine restrictions and other measures imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“This clearly sends out the message that the government’s campaign against environmental offenders remains unrelenting despite a pandemic that is wreaking havoc worldwide,” Cimatu said.The four suspects were charged with violations of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act and Presidential Decree 705, otherwise known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. They are detained at the NBI detention facility in Manila while awaiting court proceedings.

Rogelio Demelletes Jr., a senior ecosystems management specialist and member of EPETF, said initial investigation showed that the seized agarwood shipments were of high-grade quality and likely poached from the forests of Mindanao, particularly Surigao and Agusan provinces.

Agarwood is extracted from host trees locally known as Lapnisan and Lanete, which are both included in the national list of threatened Philippine plants per DENR Administrative Order 2007-01.

According to Demelletes, a high-grade agarwood can be sold for as high $30,000 per kilo and its trafficking has spawned indiscriminate cutting of Lanete and Lapnisan trees.

Original news posted found on the link below.

https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/06/22/p3-2-m-agarwood-seized-4-nabbed/
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DENR, NBI seize P3.2 million agarwood

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) along with agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have confiscated about 20 kilos of agarwood valued at P3.2 million in Pasig City and Cainta, Rizal.

Four suspects were arrested by the DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force and the NBI Environmental Crime Division on June 8. They were Ramil Ong, Bernie Bagay, Rizal Mofar and Arjhun Gaviola.

The DENR said the suspects were nabbed after they caught in the act of transporting agarwood extracted from local tree species.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act and the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines have been filed against the suspects who are being held at the NBI detention facility in Manila.

Agarwood, one of the most expensive raw materials for the production of perfume, incense, fragrance oil and traditional medicine, can be sold for as high as P160,000 per kilo.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu lauded the DENR and NBI for their “unrelenting efforts to go after the suspects despite quarantine restrictions.” – Elizabeth Marcelo

Original news posted found on this link. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/06/22/2022562/denr-nbi-seize-p32-million-agarwood