In 2014, Guru Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj of BAPS Sant Swaminarayan Sanstha instructed Mr. Nitinbhai Patel, President of Chandan Vikas Association, to plant sandalwood and guide the farmers.

Inspired and visioned by Swamiji, a meeting of sandalwood farmers was held in 2015 at Gandhinagar-Kisan Sangh office-Balram temple, in which a literal association was formed.

It was registered under the Sandalwood Development Association Charitable Trust Act in 2018. Thus the Sandalwood Development Association is an NGO.