By Toby Antony, ENS - KOCHI
17th September 2012 01:20 PM
·
Forest officials beside the biggest teak tree reportedly found
in Asia at Malayattoor Division, Thundathil Range, Ottakallan area
The
biggest teak tree in Asia has been discovered at Ottakallan area in Thundathil
range of Malayattoor Forest Division.
The
gigantic tree reportedly beats the record of the teak tree at Kappayam,
Edamalayar, which was the biggest tree in Asia till now.
According
to BN Nagaraj, Divisional Forest Officer, Malayatoor, the newly-discovered tree
is estimated to be over 300 years old.“It was first noted by a man while
cutting bamboo in the area. He reported it to forest officials and they took
the measurement of the tree.
“It is
located at Malayattoor Forest Division, Thundathil range, Repra portion,
Ottakallan, in the bamboo forest. It has a girth of 7.65 metre and is about 40
metre tall. The tree in Kappayam has a diameter of 7.23 metre,” Nagaraj said.
On
receiving the report, Nagaraj along with Jose Panicker, Range Officer, and R
Madhusoodhanan, Forester, visited the area and confirmed it as the biggest teak
tree of Asia.
Considering
that there is no teak plantation in this area, the forest officials are
clueless about the presence of such a huge teak tree in the bamboo forest.
The
Forest Department will soon take measures to preserve the tree.
“We
will conduct regular patrolling to preserve it from being cut down by timber
smugglers,” Nagaraj said.
