World's oldest teak trees dying in Kerala

Nilambur (Kerala), May 13: Two teak trees, believed to be the oldest in the world, are dying. The trees are located at the plantation, about 40 kilometres from Malappuram town in Kerala.

As per forest officials here, two out of the 117 plants are in the dying stage, they have died almost 90 percent. But the officials have still retained in the plantation and tourists are allowed to watch it.

These trees have started forming wrinkles and some of the them are already half-dead.

The plantation is named in honour of HV Conolly, the then Collector of Malabar during the British rule, who was instrumental in planting teak in the entire Nilambur area with the help of Shri Chanthu Menon, a forest officer under him.

The plot extends across 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar river at Aruvakode and a hanging bridge is one of the attractions among the tourists.

This plantation is about 163 years old. The planting was done between the year 1842 -1844.

The plot has also been acclaimed for having the oldest living teak tree (girth 420 cms and height 46.5 meters) and Shri Chanthu Menon, was laid to rest in this very teak garden, Conolly's plot, as a mark of honour.

ANI