HVK Archives: Wanted: Security for wonder tree
Wanted: Security for wonder tree - The Indian Express
Aasha Khosa
()
7 January 1997
Title : Wanted: Security for wonder tree
Author : Aasha Khosa
Publication : The Indian Express
Date : January 7, 1997
The discovery of a rare tree, much sought after by researchers in the
West for its use as anti-cancer drug, in the Alpine forests here, has
given both joy and worry to the State forest officials.
"It's heartening to see that this rare tree is growing naturally in our
forests," said S D Swatantra, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir.
He, however, wondered how effectively the tree could be protected
against smugglers.
The tree, called Taxus bacatta, produces texol, a potent anti-cancer
drug, on which research is going on in several institutes in the West.
It is the bark and needle-like leaves of the tree that produce texol
and, therefore, is much sought after by forest mafias in the Himalayan
jungles.
Swatantra has submitted a proposal to the Government for commercial
cultivation of the tree in the region.
While clearance is awaited, the Regional Research Laboratory in Jammu
has already evolved ways for propagation of the Texol tree.
The tree has almost become extinct elsewhere in the Himalayan forests of
India due to reckless smuggling by unscrupulous traders who would sell
its produce to western companies. The tree is now being grown in large
farms in Germany to feed the expanding research market all over the
world.
The forest officials discovered the wonder tree amidst the forests here
when they found local tribesmen - Gujjars - using its leaves and bark as
pain-reliever. "Locals call it 'posteel' and they have been using it as
a medicinal plant much before the scientists discovered its anti-cancer
traits," Swatantra told The Indian Express. The Gujjars boil the leaves
and the concoction is used as a pain-reliever.
Gulmarg is the last natural habitat of Texol tree in India and the
officials are feeling insecure about its preservation given the
prevailing disturbed situation in the State.
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