Where is Chatham Saw Mill & why it is Famous?

The Chatham Saw mill is in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and has the honor of being Asia’s biggest saw mill. It was established during British regime. However currently reeling under bureaucratic negligence since India’s independence and is waiting for modernization. It is owned by the Forest Department of the Union Administration. It is connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It converts huge firewood into different sizes of timber and supplies to private and government departments at a reasonable price. It also processes ornamental species which is used in the manufacture of furniture and handicraft. It remains as a store-house of timber varieties such as Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, and Satin Wood.

Due to lack of modernization efforts the Chatham Saw Mill which had an intake of 10,609 cubic meters of round logs now has an intake of hardly 5,000 cubic meters. Modernization of the mill is badly needed as its output is only 50 per cent while the output of private saw mills are usually 80 per cent.