muthukuribk
Established Member
Teak and environment
Teak (Tectonia grandis) has its natural distribution in limited regions of South and Southeast Asia (Tanaka et al., 1998). In Lao PDR teak is found in the north-western part of the country along the northern border to Thailand and Myanmar. It is one of the valuable tree species in tropical regions of the world (Kaosa-ard, 1999). The area used for plantations varies greatly between different countries. It comprised 159,000 ha in Thailand (Varmola, 2002), 700,000 ha in Indonesia (Tanaka, 1998), 139,000 ha in Myanmar (Varmola, 2002) and 40,000 ha in Costa Rica (Cordero, 2002). More than 90 percent of the 1990 total area of teak plantation in the world was located in Asia. The total area of teak plantation in the world increased to 1.7 million ha in 1980 and 2.2 million ha in 1990 (FAO, 1995).
Luang Phrabang is a mountainous province located in the Northern part of Lao PDR, where teak has been planted more than in other provinces, by both the state and the farmers. So far, the total teak area of Luang Phrabang is about 5,587 ha of which 89 % belongs to the farmers (Southitham, 2001). It is planted on hill slopes and along roads, rivers and footpaths. It is also planted near paddy fields and in home gardens (LUSLOF fieldwork report, 2003).
An increasing proportion of teak coming from plantation forests may circumvent some environmental controversies but sometimes attract others. Teak is a pioneer species and as such is generally susceptible to competition from other plant species. Cleaning undergrowth and debris may assist teak growth in the short-term, but almost inevitably at the cost of long-term site degradation (Kaosa ard, 1981). A Minor Field Study (MFS) was carried out in Luang Prabang in early 2005 to study soil characteristics under teak. (Keonakhone, 2005).
The existing teak plantations in the Luang Phrabang province seem to have a positive impact on the environment. Luang Phrabang has presently a low forest cover. Therefore, more forest cover than shifting cultivation areas would be a good sign of improvement of the environment. Planting more teak in areas, where there is a lot of shifting cultivation practiced would enhance the value of the area presently covered by fallows.
We are one and only high yielding tissue culture teak producers in India & abroad
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BALAKRISHNA MUTHUKURI
MOTHER AGRI BIOTECH LABORATORIES INDIA PVT. LTD.
BANGALORE.
+919035003471
Teak (Tectonia grandis) has its natural distribution in limited regions of South and Southeast Asia (Tanaka et al., 1998). In Lao PDR teak is found in the north-western part of the country along the northern border to Thailand and Myanmar. It is one of the valuable tree species in tropical regions of the world (Kaosa-ard, 1999). The area used for plantations varies greatly between different countries. It comprised 159,000 ha in Thailand (Varmola, 2002), 700,000 ha in Indonesia (Tanaka, 1998), 139,000 ha in Myanmar (Varmola, 2002) and 40,000 ha in Costa Rica (Cordero, 2002). More than 90 percent of the 1990 total area of teak plantation in the world was located in Asia. The total area of teak plantation in the world increased to 1.7 million ha in 1980 and 2.2 million ha in 1990 (FAO, 1995).
Luang Phrabang is a mountainous province located in the Northern part of Lao PDR, where teak has been planted more than in other provinces, by both the state and the farmers. So far, the total teak area of Luang Phrabang is about 5,587 ha of which 89 % belongs to the farmers (Southitham, 2001). It is planted on hill slopes and along roads, rivers and footpaths. It is also planted near paddy fields and in home gardens (LUSLOF fieldwork report, 2003).
An increasing proportion of teak coming from plantation forests may circumvent some environmental controversies but sometimes attract others. Teak is a pioneer species and as such is generally susceptible to competition from other plant species. Cleaning undergrowth and debris may assist teak growth in the short-term, but almost inevitably at the cost of long-term site degradation (Kaosa ard, 1981). A Minor Field Study (MFS) was carried out in Luang Prabang in early 2005 to study soil characteristics under teak. (Keonakhone, 2005).
The existing teak plantations in the Luang Phrabang province seem to have a positive impact on the environment. Luang Phrabang has presently a low forest cover. Therefore, more forest cover than shifting cultivation areas would be a good sign of improvement of the environment. Planting more teak in areas, where there is a lot of shifting cultivation practiced would enhance the value of the area presently covered by fallows.
We are one and only high yielding tissue culture teak producers in India & abroad
*
*
BALAKRISHNA MUTHUKURI
MOTHER AGRI BIOTECH LABORATORIES INDIA PVT. LTD.
BANGALORE.
+919035003471
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