The Teak Museum is located in the Indian state of Kerala. More specifically, this museum is situated at Nilambur in the Malappuram district of Kerala. Globally, this museum can be pinpointed at 11.301059 degrees latitude and 76.249727 degrees longitude. This museum is unique because it is the first of its kind not only in India, but also in the world. Also, no other museum of this kind can be found in India. This museum is also considered to be one of the popular museums of Kerala. Tourists visiting this museum can get a glimpse of the historical, aesthetic and scientific aspects of teak.

History of Teak Museum
The Teak Museum was established in Nilambur owing to the fact that the world`s first Teak (Tectona grandis) was planted in Nilambur in the 1840s, so as to maintain a steady supply of Teak timber to the Britishers. More specifically, this museum was first established in the year 1995 in the sub-centre of Kerala Forest Research Institute. Thus, the Teak Museum was established in a pertinent place of historical significance.

Collection of Teak Museum
The Teak Museum is a double-storied museum which is laid out in the picturesque wooded surroundings. This museum welcomes its tourists with a 55-year-old teak tree displayed in the portico. The Teak Museum hosts some of the replicas of the oldest Teak trees found in Kerala. The Kannimara Teak found in Parambikulam Wild-Life Sanctuary is the oldest naturally growing teak tree while the Malayattoor forest has the largest known teak tree. The replicas of these trees can be seen on the ground floor of the Teak Museum. One can also gain knowledge about the different stages of the life cycle of the teak tree. This museum gives a detailed description about the foliage, flowers, fruits and bark of the tree. This museum also imparts knowledge about the various methods of tree growing like seed-grading, pre sowing treatment, preparation of teak stumps, vegetative propagation of teak and other stages. The thinning process of the teak plantations is also tastefully displayed. Teak poles of varying sizes and qualities along with their standard classifications are exhibited in the museum. Tourists can see the large stump of a 480-year-old teak tree, which was brought from Nagarampara forest range in Kottayam division.

The Teak museum also has a collection of over 300 butterflies, moths and insects found in teak plantations. Various physical disorders of teak, disease-causing insects and pests, plantation and other nursery diseases are also shown in a separate section.

A series of interesting paintings depicting tree felling operations, a collection of photographs on the phonological events of teak at different seasons and exhibits on traditional harvesting tools and wood samples of different ages from various parts of the world amuse the tourists. The Teak Museum also has a library where literature related to teak wood is preserved. It also has 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 about 50 naturally grown tree species and about 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 another attraction worth seeing.

Development of Teak Museum
Recently, a curio centre was started in the Teak Museum under the initiative of the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI).

Visiting Information
The Teak Museum has good transport availability. Nearest airport from Teak Museum is the Calicut International Airport, which is located at a distance of about 36 km from Malappuram. Nearest railway station from Teak Museum is in Nilambur, which is located at a distance of about 3 km.

Related Articles:
Indian State Museums
Museums of Kerala
Nilambur Teak Plantation
Wood Craft
Wood Art
Wood Carving
Types of Wood Carving
Indian Wooden Sculpture