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THE PLACE
Located in the Malappuram district of Kerala, this small sleepy town has a surprise in store for its visitors. The world's first teak plantation was raised in the Conolly Plot in Nilambur about 150 years ago (1842-1844). Named in honor of H.V. Conolly, the then Collector of Malabar, the plot covers an area of 2.31 hectares of teak plantation. With the help of Shri Chathu Menon, H.V. Conolly pioneered the establishment of the plantation.
THE TEAK MUSEUM
The teak museum of Nilambur, near the well-known Conolly Plot, is worth visiting. Established by the Kerala Forest Research Institute in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department, it is a thematic museum housing historical, cultural and aesthetic aspects of teak, all under one roof.
A collection of bamboo trees on the way to the museum imparts a special beauty to the place. The carved teak door at the entrance of the museum has a painting of the Kannimara teak. It is the oldest living teak tree in the world located in Parambikulam Wild Life Sanctuary in the district of Palghat, Kerala. It is 47.5 m tall with a girth of 642 cm.
Among the several exhibits displayed here, the root system of a mature teak tree is perhaps the most interesting of all. Paintings on the walls remind one of the early histories of teak planting. The miniature model of an antique sailing vessel made of teak wood and a painting of a sailing ship are the other attractions. Logs of a 116-year-old tree have also been preserved. At present the price of this single tree is Rs. 300,000. The museum presents scientific information and exhibits on various aspects of teak. A world literature on teak is available in the library.
HOW TO REACH
Nilambur is well connected by buses. One can reach Nilambur either by going via Calicut, which is 70 km away or through Ooty, which is 100 km away.
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