CHAPTER

This mill was established in 1883 with the primary objective to meet the lo Chatham Saw Mill

cal requirements of sawn timber for the constructional works. The machines initially installed were second hand and operated with unskilled man power available at that time. Unfortunately during the Second World War, the mill was destroyed badly by the direct hit of bombs, paralysing its working completely. However, after the second world war, the mill was revived in mid forties and fifties by salvaging the old machinery to meet the continued need of sawn timber of the islanders. So much so, this requirement of sawn timber of the Islanders further increased manifold after the settlement of people from erstwhile East Pakistan, Srilanka and Burma etc. in these islands.

The majority of good quality logs are consumed by the wood based industries and the remaining logs which may contain knots, shakes, splits and sponges etc. are brought to the govt. Saw mill Chatham for production of sawn timber where utmost possible extent of good quality sawn timber is salvaged to meet the requirements of local public, furniture marts as well as Govt. Depa Log depot at Chatham Saw Mill

rtments for various public works. Besides, the premier timber of Andamans “the Andaman padauk” is handled by govt. Saw Mill only.

The initial annual log intake capacity of the mill was around 20000 cum., but to the lesser availability of logs due to various reasons, the mill is presently consuming around 12000 – 13000 cum of logs annually. Presently, the annual production of sawn timber of Chatham saw mill ranges between 5000 to 6000 cum. of which, more than 90% is sold locally at the price fixed by

Andaman and Nicobar Administration on year to year basis. However, the balance quantity of sawn timber which is not consumed locally, is shipped to Chennai and Calcutta Govt. Depots for disposal by auction. The present annual average turnover of the Chatham saw mill is around Rs. 6 crores.

The Mill complex is under the charge of a Deputy Conservator of Forests, assisted by one Production Manger on the production side, one Asst. Mill Manger on sales side, one Asst. Constructional engine Mechanical Workshop

er on civil works, one superintendent timber Treatment Plant on the timber Treatment preservation side. One saw filer in the sawn doctoring unit, one Range Officer on the log receipts side and one Range Officer on sawn timber sale side. Besides, there is a Security Officer assisted by Security Inspector and Watch and Ward Staff to look after the security in the respect of Chatham Saw Mill. There is a small dispensary, which is looked after by a medical officer and his para medical staff. A labour welfare officer to looks after the welfare of the workers. At present around a thousand numbers of industrial ministerial and executive staffs are working in the Chatham Saw Mill and are dependent for their livelihood on this mill.

Although the unit is called as ‘Chatham Saw Mill’ it actually is a Saw Mill Complex having the following branches :

1. Log Depot	Deals with raw material (logs)
2. Saw Mill	Deals with the conversion of logs.
3. Saw Doctoring	Deals with the maintenance of Saw Blades.
4. Timber Yard	Storing and sales of sawn timber
5. Sale Counter, Vijay Baugh	Sale of Sawn Timber on retail basis to individual consumers.
6. Mechanical Workshop	Look after all machinery and attends to mechanical work of other divisions also.
7. Electrical Unit	Looks after electrical works of the mill and maintains the electricity supply of entire Chatham Islands. It also maintains the stand by generator (248 kw) of the Mill and attends to electrical works of other divisions also.
8. Marine Workshop	Maintains the marine crafts of the division.
9. Building Construction Unit	Maintains all the building and Jetties of Forest Department in Chatham.
10. Timber Treatment Unit	Treatment of timber both chemically and by Seasoning (about 600 cum each annually)
11. Wood Workshop	Makes furniture required for Forest Department and concentrates on utilizing ill waste to the possible extend.
12. Vanakriti	Sale counter for Wooden Souvenirs and Handicrafts Items made out of Padauk and other Ornamental Woods of Andamans
13. Department Canteen	Caters to Mill workers with nutritious diet at concessional rates (a statutory obligation also).
14. Chatham Dispensary	Provides First aid services to Mill workers (A statutory obligation also).
15. Forest Labour Club	Gives recreational facilities to workers.
16. Security Wing	Looks after the security of the Mill Division.

FORESTS ISLANDS WILDLIFE MANGROVES ORGANIZATION			BIOLOGICAL PARK BIOSPHERE RESERVE ENVIRONMENT
DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES	E & F DEPARTMENT	PLACES OF INTEREST	ANIFPDC	PROTECTED AREAS	ACRONYMS

THE GOVERNMENT SAW MILL CHATHAM