Teak Museum, Nilambur, Kerala India

Teak holds a special position in the world of timber. Kerala has always had a deep involvement with its cultivation and trade. The name teak is itself derived from the Malayalam word ‘theku’. Nilambur is synonymous with the finest teak and home to the earliest plantations of the world. The teak and Nilabbur teak plantations were famed for quality timber used for ship building and cabinet making from 19 century.

The KFRI Sub-center under the direction of a Scientist, forms the hub of field research centered mainly on teak. The pest control lab established with DBT support undertakes production of. Hybcheck - the environmentally safe biopesticide based on NPV, that was the culmination of two decades of research on Hyblea peura, the most destructive of the pests of teak. The Teak Museum reminisces the history of teak cultivation and then brings the visitor to the present where teak stills holds sway as the most sought after timber. The displays in the Museum explain the numerous facets of teak research that KFRI has undertaken and offers a glimpse of the multifarious uses teak timber has been put to in the State. The artifacts include traditional household objects like the granary, swing cot, cloth-chest etc. To regale visitors details are provided of some of the giants of the teak world from Kerala forests . A library and mini theater are additional attractions of the Museum.

Teak museum is an exclusive museum displaying the teak its habitat, history, cultivation, management, socio-economic aspects and uses. The Museum attracts a lot of visitors around the year and recognizing that it was a good opportunity to impart nature awareness education. 

The Teak Museum, situated at a distance of 4 km from Nilambur town, is a double storied building containing exhaustive information on teak trees. Built in 1995 inside the Kerala Forest Research Institute campus, this museum is the only one of its kind in India. 

Teak Museum is situated in Malappuram district. This is the world’s first teak museum and was established in the year 1995. This is controlled by the Kerala Forest Research Institute. Information regarding the usage of teak wood and other articles is exhibited here. It is a two storied building set up on the campus of Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). Lot of information about the teak tree attracts a huge crowd to this museum. The root of a 55 year old teak tree is kept in the compound that welcomes the tourists.

The visitors will get to know about the activities that are carried out over 160 years in the field of teak plantation. Some of the exhibits here include the Kannimara teak which is the oldest teak found in Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary, life size structure of the trunk of the largest teak tree grown in Malayattoor forest division etc. Some other attractions include the traditional granary, model of the sailing vessel that is built of teak wood etc. Some other characteristics of teak can be understood in detail from the detailed description of the flowers, fruits and barks of the tree. There is also a base of a 480 years old teak tree that was found in the Nagarampara forest range of Kottayam. Besides all these the different stages involved in the rotation cycle of teak are also displayed here.

A large collection of moths, butterflies and other insects that are found in the teak plantation are displayed here. There is also an exclusive section in which the disorders of the tree and the various diseases that the tree might get are explained. Some other attractions are the photographs of the teaks, traditional harvesting tools obtained from various parts of the world etc. The portraits of great personalities who have played a major role in the establishment of teak plantations and a library on teak are also kept here.

The Museum with its astonishing wealth of information attracts thousands of tourists and nature enthusiasts. The intricate root system of an old teak tree, displayed at the entrance of the museum, is a spectacular sight no visitor would want to miss. The noteworthy collections preserved in The Teak Museum include translites of Kannimara Teak a colossal teak tree from Conolly's Plot, a wooden made model of the ancient marine vessel named Uru and teak poles of different sizes.

The huge stump of a very old teak tree (over 480 years old) is elegantly displayed inside the museum. The museum has other attractions such as a collection of butterflies and moths, paintings depicting tree felling, photographs and traditional tools used for harvesting. The museum is open to visitors on all days except Monday from 10 AM to 4.30 PM.