Abstract

Wood refers to both timber and fuelwood. In this study, all timber and industrial wood including poles were classified as timber and all woody materials used as fuel, including charcoal, as fuelwood. All sectors of the wood using economy were covered. The sectors are household, industries, service sector and export. Wood supply from forests, home gardens including estates and through import was assessed. Time series data on import and export of timber were also examined to understand the market trends. The effective demand for wood during 2000-01 was 122, 61, 000 Cubic Meter roundwood equivalent. Of the total demand, fuelwood accounted for 83 per cent and timber 17 per cent. Home gardens and private estates produced 87 per cent of the total fuelwood supply of 101, 96, 000 Cubic Meter roundwood equivalent. In the case of timber, contribution of forests was only four per cent and import 15 per cent of the total timber supply of 20, 65, 000 Cubic Meter roundwood. Rubber estates contributed 40 per cent, home gardens and other estates, the remaining 41 per cent. The analysis of wood-balance revealed an export surplus of 2, 63, 000 Cubic Meter of timber. Rubber wood contributed to an export of 4, 55, 000 Cubic Meter roundwood. Production and consumption of teak wood matched, with only a small deficit of 667 Cubic Meter. Consumption of all other timbers exceeded production, showing a deficit of 1, 91, 000 Cubic Meter. There is an overall decline in the demand for timber from 24, 93, 000 to 20, 65, 000 Cubic Meter. Utilisation of timber in the industries sector increased from 7, 42, 000 to 8, 65, 000 Cubic Meter due to the increased import of timber. During 1988 to 2001, import of timber increased from 1, 90, 000 to 3, 10, 000 Cubic Meter. Export of timber, including packingcases, increased from 3, 94, 000 to 5, 74, 000 Cubic Meter during this period due to the increased availability of rubber wood. The study reveals that Kerala is a net exporter of timber with a surplus of 2, 63, 000 Cubic Meter. About 80 per cent of the timber export during 2000-01 was contributed by rubber wood. Jack wood was the most important timber in both production and consumption in Kerala. There is a clear declining trend in teak wood export from Kerala to other States due to the increased availability of imported teak wood there. Contribution of forests in the total timber and fuelwood supply in Kerala is very negligible. As home gardens are the major source of wood supply in Kerala, the growing stock of trees in home gardens has to be enhanced to avoid the depletion of the wood resource which has substantial environmental benefits