Much 'bark' about nothing

By T. Lalith Singh

HYDERABAD, MAY 4. It survived the vagaries of nature for nearly five centuries. But it could face a bleak future as human superstition is out to chip away its very existence. The massive tree in the Naya Quila area of Golconda fort, popularly known as `Hathiyon ka jhad (Tree of elephants)', these days is fast turning out to be an ill-conceived destination for people in search of `good health', `strength' and `virility.' Kicking up more `excitement' than its shade!

The tree, considered to be the biggest in the city, is being `targeted' by people with axes, knives and stones, chipping away its bark with a belief that its consumption will help improve their health and longevity. As the rumours spread, said to have been set off with a local `hakim' prescribing the bark for rejuvenation of his patient, more number of people began visiting the tree. They come prepared to chip away the bark and drink its contents after mixing them in milk. Indeed, the massive tree has now become an easy target for people looking for a panacea.

The `Hathiyon ka jhad' with a trunk girth of about 42 metres has several legendary tales woven around it apart from its amazing size. The hollow of the trunk is spacious and reminds one of a single-bed room flat. Neglected, the tree is hardly on the itinerary of a tourist and unprotected, it stands alone in the open ground on way to the fort from Qutub Shahi tombs.

Those residing in nearby colonies admit that the number of persons enquiring about `Hathiyon ka jhad' has increased in the last one month. "Apart from the locals, people from different parts of the city have been coming to collect the bark," a local boy reveals. However, nobody seems to have any information about the elusive `hakim'.

The scars left by the chipping around the trunk are one too many. A local resident fears: "At this rate, we don't know how long the tree will survive. Keep peeling the bark and the tree will soon die." Some locals also blame the authorities for failing to protect the tree despite proposals to provide a picnic spot around the tree which, however, failed to make a headway.

Some date the tree back to the Mughal ruler Aurangazeb and quote legends that suggest that he had camped near the tree and led the charge on the Golconda fort from here.

The Director for Urban Forestry, MCH, Mr. Chandra Mohan Reddy, estimates the age of the tree to be over 400 years. "It's known as `Adanosonia digitata' and is commonly referred to as `baobob' tree and `monkey bed tree'." According to him, the tree has a non-Indian origin, possibly belonging to Africa, and is known for its leaves that spread out like a palm with five fingers jutting out.

While there has been enough hue and cry on heritage at stake, what's that makes people bark at the wrong tree? It remains a `gargantuan' question.

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Section  : Southern States
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