Major and Minor Forest Products

Forests are often called the "lungs of the earth," but they are also one of our most significant economic and survival resources. Forest products are generally classified into two main categories: Wood/Timber Products (= major forest products) and Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) (= minor forest products).

A. Major Forest Products

Major forest products specifically refer to timber and its direct industrial derivatives.

1. Timber and Lumber

i. Woods used in making furniture

Teak (Sagwan):

  • Source: Primarily Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
  • Why: Known as the "King of Woods." It has a high natural oil content that makes it waterproof and termite-proof. It doesn't warp or crack under the intense Indian sun.
  • Best for: Luxury beds, door frames, and outdoor patio sets.

Sheesham (Indian Rosewood):

  • Source: North India (Punjab, Haryana, UP).
  • Why: It is famous for its distinctive dark, wavy grain and immense strength. It is more affordable than Teak but offers similar durability and a very "royal" look.
  • Best for: Dining tables, cabinets, and intricate hand-carved furniture.

Mango Wood (Aam):

  • Source: Pan-India (wherever mangoes are grown).
  • Why: It is highly sustainable and affordable. Since mango trees stop bearing fruit after 15–20 years, they are harvested and replaced, making this an eco-friendly choice.
  • Best for: Coffee tables, bookshelves, and modern "Boho" style furniture.

Acacia (Babool):

  • Why: A very hard, dense wood that is naturally anti-bacterial and scratch-resistant. It is significantly cheaper than Sheesham but very heavy and durable.
  • Best for: Heavy-duty beds and dining benches.

Marandi (White Cedar):

  • Why: Imported or sourced locally, it is lightweight and resistant to decay. It has a pleasant aroma that helps keep pests away.
  • Best for: Wardrobes, trunks, and kitchen cabinets (due to its moisture resistance).

Jackwood (Phanas):

  • Source: Common in Kerala and coastal Karnataka.
  • Why: A yellowish wood that darkens with age. It is considered very auspicious in South India and is naturally resistant to termites.
  • Best for: Traditional furniture and temple carvings.

ii. Woods used in heavy construction works

Sal (Shorea robusta)

  • Status: The "Backbone of Indian Construction." It accounts for roughly 1/8th of India's forest area.
  • Properties: Extremely hard, heavy, and tough. It is naturally resistant to termites and fungi.
  • Heavy Uses: Railway Sleepers: Historically the primary wood for Indian rail tracks.
  • Bridges & Piling: Used for structural beams in bridge construction and foundation piles.
  • Mining: Used as "props" or support units in underground mines due to its massive crushing strength.

Teak (Tectona grandis / "Sagwan")

  • Status: The "King of Timbers." Best known from the Western Ghats (Karnataka, Maharashtra) and Central India (MP).
  • Properties: Rich in natural oils and silica, making it virtually waterproof and termite-proof. It has excellent "dimensional stability" (it doesn’t shrink or swell).
  • Heavy Uses:
  • Marine Construction: Dockyards, piers, and shipbuilding.
  • Heavy External Framing: Massive columns and beams in luxury or heritage restoration projects.

Babul (Acacia nilotica)

  • Status: Widely available in dry regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat.
  • Properties: Very hard and durable, though difficult to work with. It is much cheaper than Sal or Teak.
  • Heavy Uses: Agricultural Implements: Heavy-duty cart wheels, ploughs, and tool handles.
  • Fencing & Posts: Used for heavy industrial fencing and rural building supports.

Deodar (Cedrus deodara)

  • Status: Known as the "Wood of the Gods," found in the Western Himalayas (J&K, Himachal, Uttarakhand).
  • Properties: Strong but light compared to hardwoods. It contains natural oils that give it a distinct scent and high rot resistance.
  • Heavy Uses:
  • Hill Station Construction: Beams and rafters for mountain houses and temples.
  • Bridges: Used in cold-climate bridge structures and canal linings.

Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii)

  • Status: Common in the lower Himalayan ranges.
  • Properties: Easy to source and work with, but less naturally durable than Sal.
  • Heavy Uses:
  • Pressure-Treated Poles: Used for electric utility poles after being treated with preservatives like creosote.
  • Scaffolding: Temporary heavy support structures for concrete buildings.

iii. Woods for shipbuilding and boat making

Teak (Tectona grandis / Sagwan)

  • The Gold Standard: Teak is the most valued wood for shipbuilding globally.
  • Why: Natural Oils & Silica: It contains oleaginous (oily) substances that protect it from water damage and marine borers (shipworms).
  • Corrosion Resistance: Unlike oak, teak does not react with iron. This prevents "nail sickness" where the wood rots around the iron bolts/nails.
  • Dimensional Stability: It does not shrink, swell, or warp when moving between wet and dry environments.
  • Indian Source: The Western Ghats (Malabar teak) and the Dang forests of Gujarat.

Sal (Shorea robusta)

  • Why: Much heavier and harder than teak, with immense crushing strength.
  • Use in Ships: Primarily used for the Keel (the "backbone" or bottom-most structural part of the ship) and the heavy internal frames where maximum strength is required.
  • Durability: Highly resistant to termites and fungi.

Anjili / Aini (Artocarpus hirsutus)

  • The "Jungle Jack": Common in the Western Ghats (Kerala/Karnataka).
  • Why: It is lighter than teak but shares many of its water-resistant properties. It is much more affordable and was the primary wood for the traditional Kettuvalam (houseboats) and Uru (trading dhows) of Malabar.
  • Use in Ships: Used for the hull planking and ribs of medium-sized vessels.

Benteak / Nana (Lagerstroemia microcarpa)

  • Why: A strong, elastic hardwood that resists decay.
  • Use in Ships: Often used for the internal fittings, decks, and side planking of traditional boats.

2. Fuelwood and charcoal

These species are preferred for daily cooking and heating because they burn steadily with minimal smoke and high heat.

Babool / Kikar (Acacia nilotica):

  • Why: Widely considered the best firewood in India. It has a high calorific value (approx. $4,800-4,900$ kcal/kg) and burns even when green (though seasoning is better). It produces a long-lasting, hot flame.

Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia):

  • Why: Known as the "best fuel wood in the world" for tropical regions. It splits easily, burns with great heat, and leaves behind very little ash. It is grown extensively in coastal India (TN, Andhra, Odisha) for biomass power and domestic use.

Dhak / Palas (Butea monosperma):

  • Why: Known as "Flame of the Forest," its wood is used extensively in rural areas. It burns well but produces slightly more smoke than Babool.

Mango Wood (Mangifera indica):

  • Why: While often used for furniture, mango branches are a common household fuel. It burns quickly and is readily available after the fruiting season.

Eucalyptus:

  • Why: A fast-growing "plantation wood." While it burns quickly, its high availability makes it a staple for industrial boilers and brick kilns.

3. Pulp, paper and plywood

i. Woods for paper and pulp

The Indian paper industry relies on both wood and non-wood fibers. High-quality paper requires a balance of fiber lengths.

Eucalyptus (Safeda): The Primary Source:

  • It is the most widely used wood for pulp in India.
  • Why: It grows extremely fast and provides short, uniform fibers that are excellent for high-quality writing and printing paper.

Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala): 

  • Why: A leguminous tree that grows in varied soil conditions. It yields high-quality pulp and is a favorite among paper mills in South and Central India.

Bamboo:

  • Why: Provides long fibers which are essential for adding strength to paper (to prevent tearing). It is a major source for pulp in Northeast India.

Poplar:

  • Why: Widely grown by farmers in North India (Punjab, Haryana, UP). It is used for lower-grade pulp and blended with other fibers.

ii. Woods for Plywood in India

India is a major consumer of plywood, which is manufactured by bonding thin veneers of wood together.

Gurjan (Dipterocarpus):

  • Status: The "Gold Standard" for Indian plywood.
  • Why: A very heavy and durable hardwood. Gurjan plywood is highly resistant to warping and is known for its strength. Much of it is now imported from SE Asia due to local logging restrictions.

Poplar:

  • Status: The most common "Core" wood.
  • Why: In India, most commercial-grade plywood has a poplar core because it is cheap, light, and easy to process. It is the backbone of the North Indian plywood industry (Yamunanagar hub).

Rubberwood:

  • Status: Sourced from the rubber plantations of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • Why: An eco-friendly choice. Once rubber trees stop producing latex, they are harvested. The wood is chemically treated to make high-quality plywood and finger-jointed boards.

B. Minor Forest Products

Major forest products specifically refer to timber and its direct industrial derivatives.