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Teak Museum, Nilambur
If you are a nature enthusiast who is desperately pouring your head over volumes
to get your much-needed information on Teak, the wonder tree, then the world
famous Teak Museum at Nilambur is just the perfect place for you to be in. Here
you can satisfy yourself with loads of information on this magical bounty of
nature.
The well-known Teak Museum is located at Nilambur in the Malappuram district
of Kerala. Regarded as the first of its kind in the world and the only one
in India; it is a house to the treasures of historical, aesthetic and scientific
aspects of Teak. The museum was established on the campus of the sub centre
of Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) in 1995.The museum was established
here owing to the historical significance of the region. The worlds first
teak (Tectona grandis) plantation was raised in Nilambur way back in the 1840s
in order to ensure a steady supply of Teak timber to the British.
The fascinating abundance of information on this wonder tree attracts an entire
horde of tourists to visit this museum throughout the year. The extensive
root system of a 55-year-old teak tree exhibited in the portico for welcoming
the tourists is itself metaphorical of the past, present and future of the
museum.
The ground floor of the double-storied museum exhibits a translite of Kannimara
Teak, the oldest naturally growing teak tree located at the Parambikulam wild-life
sanctuary and the life-size replica of the trunk of the largest known teak
tree growing in the Malayattoor forest division. Another translite of a giant
tree present in the oldest teak plantation in the Conollys Plot at Nilambur
offers the visitors a glimpse into the teak plantation activities undertaken
160 years ago. Some of the other added attractions are the traditional granary
and a miniature model of sailing vessel called Uru made of teak wood.
Teak poles of varying sizes and qualities obtained during the process of Thinning
of teak plantations are also displayed along with the necessary details of
standard classification of teak poles. The depiction of foliage, flowers,
fruits and bark of the tree gives us a deeper insight in to the other characteristics
of the teak. Here, one can also find the large stump of a 480-year-old teak
tree brought from Nagarampara forest range in Kottayam division.
Detailed description on the flower, fruit and natural regeneration of teak
as well as the prominent characteristics of these species of trees are exhibited
in the first floor of the museum. In addition to this, the various methods
of seed-grading, presowing treatment, preparation of teak stumps, vegetative
propagation of teak and the different stages in the complete rotation cycle
of teak from seed to mature tree are also on display.
Along with them, one can also come across a collection of over 300 butterflies,
moths and insects found in teak plantations. Another exclusive section deals
with the various physical disorders of teak, disease-causing insects and pests,
plantation and other nursery diseases.
Some of the special attractions of the museum are a series of interesting
paintings portraying tree felling operations, a collection of photographs
on the phonological events of teak at different seasons, exhibits on traditional
harvesting tools and wood samples of different ages from various parts of
the world.
The portraits of great figures who had carved out milestones in the successful
establishment of teak plantations as well as of those who had laid the foundations
to the plantation forestry in India like H. V. Conolly, Chathu Menon and T.
F. Bourdillion offer a strong perspective of a glorious era spanning a period
of 150 years. This museum also has a world-class library on teak and a mini
auditorium for audio-visual presentations.
The 800-metre long bio-resources nature trail on the museum campus is, indeed,
an interesting one. This nature trail passes through a heavy growth of shrubs,
trees and bamboos. One can also find the different species of birds and reptiles
here. There are 50 naturally grown tree species and 136 endangered and near-extinct
tree species of the Western Ghats planted in this nature trail. About 58 species
of birds, both resident and migratory, has been recorded in this area. A medicinal
plant garden consisting of 150 species is also another attraction worth seeing.
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Nilambur, about 3 km from the Teak Museum.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, about 36 km from Malappuram.
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