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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Volume 6: Issue 4
October 2013
Editorial
We are happy to present to you
the last issue of the Teaknet
Bulletin for the year. In this
issue, we bring you an important
event that took place in Nilam-
bur, Kerala during September
last was that Nilambur Teak,
otherwise known as Malabar
Teak in the trade is going to get
the Geographical Indications
(GI) tag of the World Trade
Organisation for wood products
manufactured using Nilambur
teakwood. Indications are that
Nilambur teak will become the
first forest resource to get a GI
tag in the country and is
expected to enthuse the farmers
and traders to boost teak
cultivation in the region. Another
news is about the recent discov-
ery of a giant teak in central
Kerala, hitherto unnoticed by
anybody and is believed to be as
old as 500 years. This discovery
overwrites the history of the
largest living teak of India.
1 2 4 5 5
6
Geographical Indications (GI)
tag for Nilambur Teak
A giant natural teak located
in the Western Ghats of
Kerala
Massive increase of log
shipments from Myanmar to
India
Prices of plantation teak
imported to India
Western India Forest Depot
auction price
New Releases
As in the previous issues of the Bulletin, we have included price of plantation teakwood being
imported to India from various sources and the total volume of old growth Myanmar teak and other
hardwoods shipped to India. It is to be remembered at this juncture that Myanmar government
officially announced a total ban on export of timber logs (including teak) starting April 2014. This
will have far reaching implications leading to price escalation of teak and other hardwoods in the
Indian market. Myanmar is the only country exporting timber extracted from natural forests.
Auction price of domestic teak logs from the forest plantations of Western India is also given in this
bulletin. Auction price of teak logs from Central Kerala is given in the TEAKNET website
www.teaknet.org up to August 2013. Auction of timbers had not taken place after August due to
some delay in the implementation of E-auction procedures by the Govt. of Kerala and the deck is
now cleared for the auction of teak and other timbers.
After the successful establishment of commercial teak plantations in Latin America, CATIE, Costa-
Rica in association with FAO brought out a comprehensive book entitled “Teak Cultivation in Latin
America: Myths and Realities” in Spanish for the beneficiaries of the region where it is the major
language. Similarly, ITTO published the Annual Review of World Timber Situation 2012. Details of
these publications are included as New releases in the bulletin.
We once again request our esteemed readers, to provide us articles/news items of interest/research
papers etc. of non-technical nature related to teak, for inclusion in the Bulletin for the benefit
of our readers.
With Christmas and New Year Greetings!!
P.K. Thulasidas TEAKNET Coordinator
Geographical Indications (GI) Tag for Nilambur Teak
Nilambur Teak, which is a name instantly recognized by connoisseurs of teak around
the world will soon be protected against unauthorized labeling. Efforts are ongoing to
get the name registered as a Geographical Indication (GI). Geographical indications
are names used to identify the place of origin and quality, reputation or other
characteristics of products that are unique to the place. The GI tag is a mechanism
instituted by the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the UN to prevent unfair
competition in trade where the public can be mislead about the real origin of
goods.
The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) along with the local self-government at
Nilambur, the Kerala Forest Department, Kerala Forest Research Institute and the GI
Registry, Chennai recently took an initiative for the registration of the Nilambur
variety of Teak or Malabar Teak, which enjoys a world-wide reputation for the log
dimensions and desired wood figure. A workshop on 'GI Tag for Nilambur Teak:
Opportunities and Legal Paths' was held on September 28, 2013. Nilambur Teak is
thus destined to be first forest resource from India to get such a designation.
Read more on page 2
Teaknet Bulletin 6(4):2013 Page 2 of 6
A giant natural teak located in the Western Ghats of Kerala
The GI tag ensures that the product name can be used only by those who are authorized as the beneficiaries.
The GI registration will give growers and users of Nilambur teak the legal right to exclusive use. This is expected
to encourage more people to take up teak planting and improve the prosperity of the region through export of
teak timber. Nilambur holds a special status as the home of the world’s first commercial teak plantation
established in 1840’s. The Conolly’s plot and the Chathu Menon plot remain preserved to this day and attract
tourists from far and wide. The Teak Museum, the first of its kind in the world set up by the Kerala Forest
Research Institute is also located in Nilambur in recognition of the region’s contribution to teak cultivation.
Continued from page 1
Repra Teak Read more on page 3
A giant teak has been located by the Kerala Forest
Department in the bamboo–rich semi–evergreen
forests of Ottakallan at Repra (10o14.641” N;
76o40.636” E; 245 m altitude), in the Thundathil
Forest Range, Malayattoor Division in Central
Kerala, India. The tree soars above the surrounding
forest to an imposing height of about 54 m and has
a clear bole of 31 m from the base. The girth at
breast height is 7.65 m. That makes it the tallest
teak tree discovered in India and also a good
contender for the title of “the largest teak tree of
the world”.
On the information provided by a reed cutter
A.J. Antony, that several old growth teak trees
exist at Repra, B.N. Nagaraj, the Divisional Forest
Officer, Malayattoor, accompanied by the Range
Officer Jose Panicker, Foresters R. Madhu-
soodhanan, K.K. Manoj and driver P.D. Biju
perambulated the area, recorded measurements
and identified the largest among them. The DFO
also made arrangements to remove the epiphytic
growth on the gigantic teak.
It takes a 30 minute boat drive across the
picturesque Idamalayar Reservoir and a steep and
arduous half a kilometer climb through lush
tropical forest to reach the giant teak standing
amidst dense reed-bamboo thickets.
Teaknet Bulletin 6(4):2013 Page 3 of 6
View of Repra teak from Idamalayar Reservoir
The gargantuan proportions of the tree rising above the forest
canopy was clearly visible from a distance (see photo, right).
The tree stands precariously on a 45o slope with a fluted base
and roots partially exposed due to a high degree of soil erosion.
The area appears to be frequented by elephants due to the
profuse growth of reed-bamboos.
The Idamalayar Forest Range harbours an abundance of natural
teak, many of which are giant trees. Hitherto, the largest
recorded girth of 7.54 m was of the tree discovered in 1999 at
Kappayam, not far from Repra. The girth of the famous
“Kannimara teak” in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala is only
6.57 m.
The Forest Department has chalked out plans to protect and
conserve the tree. The canopy which was in danger of being
smothered by a huge strangler fig (Ficus sp.) has now been
freed. Some soil conservation work around the base may help
prevent further soil erosion. Grand old trees have a value beyond
the commercial; they represent the heritage of the region.
Conservation of such old trees in its natural habitat will serve as
a reminder of the past glory of these forests and the growth
potential of the species.
The other contenders to the title of the
biggest teak of the world are (see Table),
the “Mahesak” from Uttraradit Province,
Thailand which is reported to be around
1500 years old and the Thit Hla Teak
Tree, of Pyin Oo Lwin Township in
Myanmar which is said to be 600 years
old. The Repra teak is also estimated to
be around the same age. The standing
volume of the trees which is a better
indicator of the size of the tree rather
than just the height or girth alone will
have to be ascertained in all the cases
since such trees in hollows often have
extreme fluting, forking and damaged
canopy. The exploration team led by B.N. Nagaraj, DFO (3rd from right)
Continued from page 2
Read more on page 4
Teaknet Bulletin 6(4):2013 Page 4 of 6
Thit Hla Teak Myanmar
Mahesak teak Thailand
P K Chandrasekhara Pillai, P K Thulasidas, E M Muralidharan and Mammen
Chundamannil
Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala, India
Comparison of Giant Teaks in the world
Tree Name Location Forest type
Girth at
Breast Height (m)
Height (m)
Estimated age in years
Myanmar Thit Hla
Teak Tree
Pyin Oo Lwin Town-ship Baw Reserve Compartment
Moist-deciduous 7.498 54.864 Approx. 600
India Repra Teak
Thundathil Forest Range, Malayattoor,
Kerala
Semi-evergreen 7.65 54 Approx. 500
Thailand Mahesak
Ton Sak Yai Park in the Luang Prabang Range, Uttraradit
Province, Nampard
District, Thailand
Mixed-deciduous
10.10 37
(originally it
was 48.5 m high, but it was damaged in a storm)
Approx. 1500
Massive increase of
log shipments from
Myanmar to India
In October, 54,500 cu.m of teak
logs and 170,000 cu.m of other
hardwoods were shipped. The total
volume of logs shipped between
April to the end of October was
241,000 cu.m of teak and 860,000
cu.m of hardwoods. The October
shipment volume is astounding
and is the highest for the past six
months.
As India purchases the largest
volume of teak (around 70%)
analysts assume that that the
stabilised US dollar-Indian rupee
exchange rate has encouraged
Indian buyers to ship logs.
Source: ITTO TTM Report 17(17): 1-15
November2013
Continued from page 3
Prices of plantation teak imported
to India
Current C & F prices , Indian ports per cubic meter
Teaknet Bulletin 6(4):2013 Page 5 of 6
Page Source: ITTO TTM Report 17(17): 1-15 November2013
Western India Forest Depot auction Price
Approximately 6000 cu.m of logs were offered for sale at the
recent auction held at the Tapti depots of Raj Pipla, Vyara etc
from 20th to 25th October 2013 . Average prices recorded at
the most recent auction are as follows:
Criteria for major classification of teak wood in India
Straightness and
soundness Girth Length
Grade Criteria Girth
class
Middle
girth
(cm)*
Length
class
Length
(m)
A
Logs
straight and
sound
without any
defects
Export
185
and
above
SL
(Short
Length)
Above
1 &
below
2.5
B
Fairly
straight and
sound logs
I 150-
184
ML
(Medium
Length)
2.5 -
7.3
C
Defective
and crooked
logs
II 100-
149
LL
(Long &
Lengthy)
above
7.3
D
Highly
defective
and crooked
logs
III 75-99
Teak logs Per cubic foot
(INR) *
A quality for ship building 3300 -3400
B quality for ship building 3100 -3200
A for sawing 2900-3000
B or sawing 2700-2800
A Long length logs 2500-2600
B Long length logs 2400-2500
Long length, Medium Quality 2100-2200
Short Length, Medium Quality 1800-1900
Short Length, Average Quality 1500 plus
Country US$ per cu. m
Benin logs 250-650
Colombia logs 350-750
Congo logs 450-550
Costa Rica logs 350-700
Côte d'Ivoire logs 280-750
El-Salvador logs 350-650
Ghana logs 275-650
Guatemala logs 350-550
Guyana logs 300-450
Kenya logs 390-600
Laos logs 320-450
Liberia logs 350-460
Malaysian logs 140-450
Nicaragua logs 430-535
Panama logs 260-550
PNG logs 400-575
Sudan logs 450-700
Tanzania logs 350-700
Thailand logs 500-700
Togo logs 350-715
Trinidad & Tobago logs 400-680
Uganda logs 440-760
Benin sawn 430-800
Uganda sawn 680-800
Brazil squares 360-680
Ecuador squares 290-540
Nigeria squares 300-450
* 1 US$ = INR 62.45
* Middle log girth (under bark)
Teaknet Bulletin 6(4):2013 Page 6 of 6
Editorial Committee
Dr. P.K. Thulasidas
Dr. Mammen Chundamannil
Dr. E. M. Muralidharan
Dr. S. Sandeep
Teaknet Bulletin is a quarterly electronic newsletter of TEAKNET brought out every year through its website. It is
intended for circulation among the members of TEAKNET and other stakeholders of global teak sector. The views
expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.
The readers are welcome to express their opinions or pass on information of value to teak growers, traders, re-
searchers or others concerned with teak. However, TEAKNET reserves the right to choose the contributions for pub-
lishing and also to make necessary editorial modifications in the articles in consultation with the authors.
Address all communications to:
TEAKNET Coordinator Kerala Forest Research Institute Peechi-680 653, Thrissur, Kerala, India Tel: +91 487 2690396 Email: coordinator@teaknet.org
Teak Plantations in Latin America: Myths
and Realities
Tropical Agricultural Research
and Higher Education Center
(CATIE), Costa Rica, in associa-
tion with Food and Agricultural
Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) published a book
"Teak Plantations in Latin
America: Myths and Realities"
in Spanish. This book is written
by regional specialists with long
experience in planting teak.
Teak plantations in the region have been embroiled in
controversy for environmental reasons. This book seeks
to clarify some of the issues being discussed and calls
upon technicians and promoters of investment not to
promise more than what can be obtained.
The publication is available in hard copy, and also in
digital (PDF) distribution to provide a better access to
those who are interested in teak investments in Latin
America. To download this publication please visit
http://b ib l i oteca.cat i e.ac.cr/descargas/
Teca_Mitos_y_Realidades.pdf
NEW RELEASES
ITTO Annual Review and Assessment of
the World Timber Situation 2012
ITTO has published the Annual Re-
view and Assessment of the World
Timber Situation 2012 providing
data on trends in forest area, forest
management and the economies of
ITTO member countries .
This compiles the most up-to-date
and reliable international statistics
available on global production and
trade of timber, with an emphasis
on the tropics.
The Annual review contains:
Summarizes developments in major markets for tropical timber
Provides an analysis of production, consumption,
trade and prices for primary tropical timber products (tropical logs, sawnwood, veneer and plywood)
Describes trade in secondary processed wood prod-ucts (SPWPs), with a focus on tropical countries
The publication can be downloaded from
http://www.itto.int/annual_review/. Production and
trade data from 1994 to the present are also available
from ITTO’s Statistical database (http://www.itto.int/
annual_review_output/ )
Recommended