Pankaj Oudhia

Meet my Madhuca friend who has saved millions of lives

Although in social networking websites in Internet names of my millions of friends are not present but I am attached with them. It’s hard to count them but I have met few lac true friends. I have collected information about these friends in detail. I am hoping that one day the information about these friends will become online and they will become friends of all. Through this article I am introducing my aged friend spreading in Orissa. I call him Madhuca. I have thousands of Madhuca friends but it is different from others. I am presenting some interesting information about this friend, collected from CGBD database.    

Where this tree is situated: In left side of road to famous Tourist place of Orissa Narsinghnath, between Nuapada and Narshinghnath. 

Hindi name of tree: Mahua

Scientific Name of Tree: Madhuca indica

Age of tree: More than 100 years

Id. No. of tree in CGBD database: 85444

Whether forest exists around the tree: There was forest in surroundings earlier. But now there is barren land.

What type of vegetation is present in surroundings: In different seasons different types of seasonal herbs grow. Old Beeja tree is present near to this tree.

How many types of birds visit to this tree annually: I have counted 25 species of birds. According to the natives actual number is much more.

Is there any permanent nest in this tree: During every visit I find 3-4 nests.

How many times you have visited to this tree: In one decade I have visited this place 18 times.

Do you have pictures of all visits? : Yes. These visits were done in different seasons hence there are much variations in these pictures. 

How many types of insects you have seen in this tree: I have seen 9 species of insects that feed on its foliage.

Have you observed friendly insects in this tree: Yes, I have seen many predators that consume rice pest.

Whether farmers use this tree: Yes, they burry the branches of this tree in their crop fields. Also apply it in irrigation channel. They claim that these measures reduce the infestation of insects. They use other herbs with Mahua. They prepare extract of its leaves, mix it with extracts of weeds present in wasteland and use it in vegetable crops to manage diseases.

How many types of snakes you have seen on this tree: Three species of snakes so far.

Whether natives worship this tree: Yes, many times during a year. In many houses newly wed couples are suggested to take round of this tree. In this way they take the blessings of this tree.

Whether its root is used: Yes, root is used as medicine. It is added in over 150 Traditional formulations.

Whether its bark is used: Yes, bark is used in treatment of Sickle Cell Anaemia. It is used over 300 Tradtional formulations.

Whether branches are used: Yes, in houses whether marriage ceremony is due the branches are tied in entrance. Branches are used during Hareli festival also in this way. 

Whether there is use of its flower: Liquor prepared from flower is popular. Consumption of this liquor through Tradtional methods is considered good for health. In treatment of Haemophilia this liquor is given both internally as well as externally.

Whether fruits are used: Fruits are consumed and also oil is extracted. Oil is used in treatment of 25 diseases.

Is there any use of entire tree: The Tradtional Healers having expertise in use of first rain water collect it from this tree and use it round the year as medicine. Its shade is considered beneficial for patients. Soil collected from its root zone is used in treatment of different diseases.

Whether natives tell any story related to this tree: Yes, many years back during severe drought this forest has saved their lives. They thank many old trees including this one.

Whether natives collect its plant parts for earning: Yes, the pictures are in database.

How many Tradtional Healers collect parts from this tree:  More than fifty. Healers from far distance come to collect parts.

How many lives this tree has saved so far: Countless but there is no record.

Whether Tradtional Healers practice Tradtional Allelopathic Knowledge to enrich this tree with medicinal properties: Yes, during Deepawali festival they treat it with extracts of wild tubers.

Whether Tantrik use this tree: Yes, they organize meetings in shade of this tree specially during Hareli and Deepawali.

Whether any epiphyte (Banda) is growing on this tree: Yes. According to the natives old epiphyte is now drying. New epiphyte is spreading. Pictures of these epiphytes have been taken.

Whether the epiphyte (Banda) is used locally: Yes, it is used as medicine. There is competition among the locals and Traditional Healers for collection of it. Due to regular collection its spread is reducing.

Whether orchid is present on this tree: Yes, one type of Orchid is there. Pictures have been taken.

Whether this Orchid is used locally: Yes, it is used as medicine. According to the natives rich native of Khariyar road has kept this orchid in cash box. They worship it during Deepawali every year. In years of poor rainfall the natives keep it in their grain storage. It is collected after worship.

Is there any chance that this tree will pay the cost of development: This old tree is situated near to road. If new wide road is constructed it will be cut.

If it is cut then whether natives will oppose it: Yes, it seems.

How you are associated with this tree: As friend.

How many times you have hugged this tree: Every time I do it. The passing by people also do it.

Whether young generation is aware of its importance: Now, last year some young natives tried to burn this tree. Senior natives tried to convince them about its importance.

Whether this tree reminds you about any similar tree in other place: Yes, whenever I meet this tree I remember the Mahua tree of Ghatarani forest region. The Id. No. of this tree in CGBD database is 15418.

How ‘Wood Mafia” see this tree: Due to deep faith of natives “Wood Mafia” is keeping distance with it.

Whether forest department is aware of this important tree: The natives deny it. I feel that they are true.

Hoping that you are happy to meet my Madhuca friend. I am waiting for a day when I will be able to see it from my home with the help of satellite and associated services. Whenever greedy eyes dare to look at it, the natives will be alerted through alarm and without any delay they will run to save this life giving tree.

[This article is translation of 53 th part of series in Hindi titled “Meri Jungle Diary se kuchh panne” http://pratikriyaa.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-post_6617.html]

 © Pankaj Oudhia