Over 20,000 teak trees on the bunds of rivers were uprooted in Tiruvarur district by the speeding wind accompanying Cyclone Gaja in the early hours of Friday.
“These are mature and immature trees and the value will be worth crores of rupees. Most of them are 20 years old,” District Forest Officer K. Arivoli told The Hindu . Teak trees have been planted on the river bunds since the days of British and they are regularly harvested 40 years after planting.
“Since the soil was loose during the rainy season, the trees got uprooted for the wind. It will take a month for us to fully study the damage and collect the timber. As of now, we are clearing them to allow access to villages,” Mr. Arivoli said.
He explained while 40-year old trees were harvested, planting would be done simultaneously to compensate the harvest. “This year alone, we are planting teak on 260 hectares,” he said.
