Natural teak forests declining worldwide: UN

Yangon, April 26 (IANS) Natural teak forests are in decline worldwide, almost half of which grow in Myanmar, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization has said. Such forests grow only in three other countries today -- India, Laos and Thailand.

Asia holds over 90 percent of the world's teak resources, and India alone manages 38 percent of the world's planted teak forests.

FAO's global Teak Resources and Market Assessment report estimated that in 2010, the combined area of natural teak forest was about 29 million hectares, and almost half of which is in Myanmar.

It said the natural teak forests declined by 385,000 hectares globally between 1992 and 2010. The study, released last month, was conducted in 60 tropical countries.

Myanmar is the only country that currently produces quality teak from natural forests. India, Laos and Thailand have banned logging in natural forests or log exports.

Planted teak forests are increasing in area and producing high quality wood when good management practices are applied, Mizzima News quoted the report as saying.

On average it takes about 80 years for planted teak to grow to harvestable size.