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TEAK IN MEKONG

Chapter 3: Natural Teak Forests and
Teak Plantations in Myanmar

Zar Chi Hlaing

Abstract Introduction

T eak (Tectona grandis L.f), is a
T
eak is one of the most important
species of worldwide reputation as
hardwood valuable species that is
being planted extensively in several countries in paragon among timber trees belongs to the
the Asia-Pacific region. Being indigenous to the family Lamiaceae and is distributed
region, substantial experience has been gained predominantly in tropical and subtropical
in the management of natural and man-made regions. Teak is one of the most important
stands of teak. The reasons for the relatively hardwood valuable species planted
wide use of teak, where quality hardwoods extensively in several countries in the Asia-
are planted, are its ease of propagation, Pacific region. Being indigenous to the
establishment and management, as well as region, substantial experience has been
its excellent wood quality. It is also one of gained in the management of natural and
the most valuable multi-purpose timbers of man-made stands of teak. The reasons for
the world. In Myanmar, natural teak forests the relatively wide use of teak, where
have been managed for many years with quality hardwoods are planted, are its ease
sustained timber production as the primary of propagation, establishment and
objective. Myanmar is the only country management, as well as its excellent wood
producing large teak logs from natural quality. It is also one of the most valuable
forest, which attract a price advantage multi-purpose timbers of the world. It is
compared with small logs from plantations indigenous to only four countries in South
and which is likely to continue in the and South-East Asia, and dense natural
foreseeable future. The forest resources of forests with big and beautiful admiralty
Myanmar scientifically managed since quality teak have degraded and shrunk so
1856 have been decreasing due to rapidly that at present they are confined
population pressure and rising demands for only to Myanmar and to some extent to
forest lands and products. Myanmar’s India (Gyi & Tint, 1998).
forests vary in species composition and Even though teak once covered a large
stand structure, and constitute a valuable percentage of India, Thailand and Myanmar
ecosystem due to their wide extent, varied and a small area of Laos, there is now very
topography and different climatic conditions. restricted distribution in each of these
Myanmar is endowed with a forest covered countries except Myanmar. In Myanmar,
area of 42.19% of the country’s total land natural teak forests have been managed for
area that shows Myanmar position as one of many years with sustained timber
the highest in the Asia-Pacific Region. production as the primary object. Myanmar
Myanmar Selection System or MSS in short, is the only country producing large teak
has been the principal forest management logs from natural forest, which attract a
system applied in managing the natural price advantage compared with small logs
forests in Myanmar since 1856. Moreover, from plantations and which is likely to
the extensive teak plantations were continue in the foreseeable future.
established in the 1970s, and a further large- However, the area and quality of teak
scale plantation program was launched forests are declining with the increasing
commencing from 1980. Teak plantations will population and greater pressure on forested
be formed only on locations with site quality land for conversion to agricultural land and
II/III and better.

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