MUMBAIS GREEN MILE….Divashri Sinha
On Sunday morning,a few Mumbaikars went on a trail to spot ancient trees.Heres what they found amid our concrete monstrosities
Theres more to Mumbais heritage than its buildings of the British era.Like trees in south Mumbai which have far outlived the colonial-styled buildings of south Mumbai.A few people were slated to go spot such ancient trees on Sunday morning to look for its heritage trees.
Chaperoning them through old,ethereal species of trees were botanist Dr Ashok Kothari and Dr Marselin Almeida of the Bombay Natural History Society.
A rare and rapidly-diminishing entity from the citys skyline,these trees have survived the test of time but continually struggle for soil and space in the concrete jungle.A look at the line-up at the Sunday walk…
1 KARANJ :
This tree can be found near the Bombay High Court and University of Mumbai.Its leaves are known to have medicinal properties and are commonly used to treat skin ailments like ring worm.The leaves are exceptionally oily.When ground,and distilled,the oil can be applied to infected areas.In Jharkhand,the oil is being advocated as an effective biofuel.
1.Karanj (Pongamia Pinnata) Found: Near High Court and the University of Mumbai
2 CHINESE FAN PALM:
These can be found in the University of Mumbais garden.Of Chinese and Philippine origin,this species is usually of two varieties green and red fruit.The leaves are shaped like traditional Chinese fans from which the tree gets its name.
2.Chinese fan palm (Livinstona rotundifolia) Found: Near the University of Mumbai
3 KADAM:
Can be spotted in the compound of Hornbill House or the BNHS building.Legend has it that it was on this tree that Lord Krishna sat and teased the gopis (maidens).Interestingly,this tree wasnt planted by anyone,and its seed found its way to its present location buried in bird dropping,says Dr Kothari.Once slated to be uprooted,now its a flourishing heritage tree that no more faces the danger of going under the axe.
3.Kadam (Anthocephalus sinensis) Found: In the compound of Hornbill House
4 RATAN GUNJ OR CORAL WOOD:
This species can be found in the Fort area.Its seeds held exceptional importance for jewellers of the bygone era.Its seeds small,shining,red and bead-like were used to measure gold.It was a weight measure (rati-par ) where one sold gold as one or two rati-par the weight of one seed.The seeds sheen had ornamental value.
4.Ratan Gunj or Coral Wood (Adenantera pavonia ) Found: In the Fort area
5 TREE OF HEAVEN OR PRIDE OF BURMA
Seven trees of this species are found in Mumbai,primarily in the university gardens and at the Jijamata Udyaan (Byculla zoo).This species is an import from Burma.Its flowers which seem like they hang upside down,are roughly processed to make local tobacco.
5.Tree of Heaven or Pride of Burma (Amhertia Nobilis) Found: Jijamata Udyaan and University of Mumbai
6 BAOBAB:
Of the many Baobab trees in Mumbai,the oldest dating back over 400 years are found near the Afghan Church and on Butchers Island,off Gateway Of India.It is known as the upside-down tree as its trunk and branches resemble scattered roots.In Gujarat,it is worshiped as a holy tree.
6.Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Found: Afghan Church and in the Butcher’s Island off Gateway of India
7 STAR APPLE
There is one near Khyber restaurant in Kalaghoda.Its unique feature is its large leaves which are green on the surface and golden below.On a sunny day,it gleams from a distance.It was brought and planted in Mumbai by the British.
7.Star Apple (Chrysophyllum rocksbergai) Found: Near Khyber restaurant in Kalaghoda
MUMBAIS VERDANT SHADES
– CHINCHPOKLI Chinch in Marathi means tamarind.It gets its name due to once-abundant tamarind trees here.
– TARDEO Named after tad (ice apples) tree found in the area before they were axed to make way for tall buildings.