Chatham Saw Mill

Chatham Saw Mill is the oldest and largest sawmill not just in India but in the whole of Asia. It is located at Port Blair island of Andaman and Nicobar and holds great value from history. The mill is owned by the forest department and is considered to be one of the best places to visit in Andaman.

Chatham Saw Mill is one of the few sawmills that provide timber to furniture units and other industries across the globe. The mill builds the largest production of timber with raw materials being obtained from the forest of Chatham Island. The museum inside the mill gives tourists an insight into the history of Chatham Island and also explains the biodiversity it is blessed with.

It also showcases an interesting collection of woodwork and carvings that depict the excellence of craftsmanship. It is good to go to Chatham Saw Mill with a customizable Andaman tour package.

History of Chatham Saw Mill

To meet the local requirement of timber for construction work, Chatham Saw Mill was constructed in the year 1883 by the colonial regime. Later, the British started to export huge quantities of timber to meet the requirements of London, New York, and various other cities. However, later in the years of Japanese rule, the rulers invaded the islands, and bombed them in 1942, leading to the collapse of the mill

After World War 2, the island was reclaimed and that is when Chatham Saw Mill witnessed its rebirth. Countries like Sri Lanka, Burma, and East Pakistan, along with different states of India settled in the islands and empowered the timber-producing capacity of the mill. Today, Chatham Saw Mill is a storehouse, perhaps the biggest one for different varieties of wood. It functions as the main source of timber for the government and private agencies.