Environment News

Teak Plantation Initiative

September 15 , 2026 13 hrs 0 min 36 0

Tamil Nadu has launched five high-yielding teak clones to improve timber productivity and increase farmers’ long-term income.
Teak (Tectona grandis) is a large deciduous tree of the Lamiaceae family, valued for its strong, durable and termite-resistant timber.
The Green Tamil Nadu Mission (GTM), with the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore, is promoting clones IFGTB-TG-1 to IFGTB-TG-5.
These clones were selected for faster growth, better girth development, straight cylindrical trunks and higher-quality timber production.
Around 55,000 clonal teak seedlings will be planted in demonstration plots across 20 districts suitable for teak cultivation.
A polyclonal approach will be used to reduce risks from pests, diseases and climatic stress, while tissue-culture facilities will support production of superior planting material.