The rare species of Natore tree 'Manik tree' collapsed.
September 18, 20243 Mins Read
Jumbangla Desk: Tree lovers flocked to see the tree as it was many years old. The rare species 'Khirir' tree collapsed from its roots on Saturday (September 14) night due to heavy rain and strong winds. Hearing the news of the collapse, many rushed to see the tree for the last time on Tuesday.

The tree was born and raised in Dulshi village of Sukash union of Singra upazila of Natore. This large tree was still standing on a high earthen mound in Dulshi village in the middle of Chalanbil till Saturday evening. In the morning the tree is seen broken from the root.

The elders of the village said that the tree is many years old. No one can tell exactly how old they are. He has been seeing the rare tree since birth. This tree is nowhere else in the entire village. This is how their ancestors also saw the tree.

Plant researchers say this rare tree will be more than 200 years old. Before it fell, the tree was 50 feet tall and about 150 square feet in area. During the honey month, the tree bore fruit like grapes. The fruit also tasted like milk. For this reason people call the tree Khirir tree. However, this rare tree has not been propagated here. Even the seed of the fruit that bore the fruit on the tree did not grow into a seedling.

They said that although the tree was grafted for propagation, no new branches were produced. Many reports have been published in various media about the tree with unique characteristics. Since then, tree lovers from different parts of the country came to see the tree. Many botanists have also researched Dulshi village to learn about the plant.

Locals said that a commemorative pillar was constructed by Natore District Police after visiting the tree. The tree is named 'Vriksha Manik' in that pillar. The workers used to rest under the tree as the thick leafy branches of the tree provided shade all around.

80-year-old veteran farmer Chalim Uddin said that he has seen the same tree since Buddhi. He heard the story of this tree from his grandfather. He ate the fruit of the tree. He rested his tired body in the shade of the tree. On Saturday night, the tree broke from its roots due to gusty winds. It is unlikely to survive. Now the tree is just a memory. That is why he came to see the broken part of the tree for the last time on Sunday afternoon. The people of the village also suffered as the tree fell. Hundreds of people like him flock to see the tree.

Mokaram Hossain wrote about various characteristic plants of the country. After hearing the news of the tree falling, he said that he came to see the tree on the ground after learning about it in the newspaper. Although the tree does not have a specific local name, it is a 'Sapheda tree'. And to the writers the tree is known as Khiri tree. As the tree was many years old, there was interest in it. Today this tree is rare. However, there is one in Dhaka's Leather Technology College premises and one in Ramna Park.

Assistant Forest Conservator of Natore. Mehdizzaman said that a month ago he visited the surface and wrote to the higher authority to save the tree. He suffered as the tree fell before preservation. Still he will visit the broken tree and see if any new initiatives can be taken. Source: Ittefaq