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Special Attractions

 Teak Museum  Palmetum
 Xylarium  Canetum
 Herbarium  Forest Nurseries
for research and seedling production
 Arboretum and Botanic Garden  Butterfly Garden
 Bambusetum  Medicinal Plant Garden

Teak Museum 

The teak museum, established in 1995 with the assistance of the Kerala Forest Department, is located at Nilambur in the campus of the Sub Centre of the Kerala Forest Research Institute. It is meant for disseminating information on various aspects of teak - history, cultivation, management, socio-economics and uses. The teak tree, (Tectona grandis) which yields internationally reputed high quality timber, is indigenous to the tropics of South and Southeast Asia. Exhibits of historic, scientific and artistic value are displayed in the ground floor of the museum. The first floor is mostly devoted to exhibits and information of scientific nature. A library with world literature on teak and a mini auditorium for audio-visual presentation are the other facilities available within the museum. A large stump of 480-year-old teak tree brought from Neriamangalam Forest Range, the excavated root system of a large teak tree, a translite of one of the oldest naturally growing teak tree- the Kannimara teak and logs of 116-year-old teak tree are some of the magnificent exhibits in the museum.

Contact person:
The Curator,
Teak Museum,
KFRI Subcentre,
Chandakkunnu 679 342,
Nilambur, Kerala.
Phone: 0493-222846, 220218;
Fax: 0493-220969;
E-Mail: forest@sancharnet.in


Xylarium  

Xylarium is a collection of wood specimens of various tree species. KFRI Xylarium has specimens of 499 tree species including indigenous and exotic.

Contact person:
The Scientist-in-Charge (Facility),
Wood Science and Technology,
Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi- 680 653.
Phone: 0487-2699037


Herbarium 

The KFRI Herbarium is internationally recognized with the acronym KFRI. It has a collection of 1851 species belonging to 894 genera and 194 families. In all, there are 8500 specimens of various species from the Western Ghats of Kerala.

Contact person:
The Scientist -in-Charge (Facility),
Forest Botany,
KFRI.
Phone: 0487 - 2699037


Arboretum and Botanic Garden 

The KFRI Arboretum covering an area of 5 ha, which is in the establishment phase, has 75 tree species belonging to 29 families and 58 genera.


Bambusetum 



The KFRI Bambusetum has 63 species of bamboos from all over India; a few exotic species of bamboos are also available in the live collection. Of these, 55 species are in the Field Research Centre, (FRC) Velupadam and the remaining 8 species (3 of them yet to be identified) suitable for high elevation area, are at Devikulam, Munnar.

Contact person:
Scientist in Charge (Facility),
Silviculture,
Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi- 680 653.
Phone. 0487 - 2699037


Palmetum 




The KFRI Palmetum (Collection of live specimens of indigenous and exotic palms) in Peechi campus.

Contact person:
Programme Co-ordinator,
Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Division,
Kerala Foresst Research Institute,
Peechi- 680 653.
Phone. 0487 - 2699037


Canetum 

35 species are represented in the Rattan (cane) germplasm at Peechi, Achencoil, Nilambur,and Vazachal.


Contact person:
Programme Co-ordinator,
Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Division,
Kerala Foresst Research Institute,
Peechi. 680 653.
Phone. 0487 - 2699037


Forest Nurseries for research and seedling production  

KFRI has forest nurseries at Peechi, Nilambur and Velupadam. In addition to providing research facilities to scientists, the nurseries cater to the needs of the public by producing and supplying quality seedlings of several tree, bamboo and rattan species on payment. Nurseries also serve as destinations of study visits by forestry professionals, researchers, farmers and students.

Contact persons:
Peechi: The Scientist-in-Charge (Facility),
Silviculture,
SNPFM Division,
KFRI, Peechi.
Phone 0487 - 2699037

Nilambur: The Scientist-in-Charge,
KFRI Sub Centre,
Chandakunnu P.O,
Nilambur.
Phone 0493 - 1222846

Velupadam: The Officer-in-Charge,
KFRI Field Research Centre,
Velupadam P.O.,
Palappilly.
Phone 0480 - 2762205


Butterfly Garden 

KFRI has two butterfly gardens; one in its main campus at Peechi and another in the Subcentre campus at Nilambur. Some of the butterflies that can generally be seen in the garden include lemon butterfly (Papilio demoleus), southern birdwing (Troides minos), common rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae), light blue tiger (Tirumala limniace), dark blue tiger (Tirumala septentrionis) and common crow (Euploea core). Plants that are raised in the garden for forage by butterflies include Clerodendrum paniculatum, Crotalaria pallida, Crotalaria retusa, Cuphea hyssopifolia, Gardenia sp., Gloriosa superba, Heliotropium keralense, Hibiscus spp., Impatiens sp., Ixora spp., Jasminum spp., Jatropa spp., Lantana spp. Plants such as Aristolochia indica, Thottea siliquosa, Tylophora indica, Asclepias sp., Carissa carandus, Ruta graveolens, Aegle marmelos, Cassia spp., Albizzia spp., Kalanchoe spp., Musaenda luteosa, Citrus spp. and Murraya koenigii are introduced as larval host plants to sustain various butterflies in the garden. Establishment of small and big butterfly gardens can be undertaken by KFRI on consultancy basis.

Contact person:
The Scientist-in-Charge (Facility),
Forest Entomology,
Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi- 680 653.
Phone: 0487- 2699037


Medicinal Plant Garden 

The KFRI Medicinal Plant Garden at Peechi has 412 species comprising of herbs, shrubs and trees. The Garden serves as a reference collection for authentic identification, for research and extension purpose.



Contact person:
Scientist-in-Charge (Facility),
Non Wood Forest Products,
Kerala Forest Research Institute,
Peechi.-680 653.
Phone: 0487-2699037