Samples of rotten roots sent to laboratories for test

The fallen Chlorophora Excelsa tree at Lawachhara Reserve Forest. PHOTO: STAR

The lone tree of African origin in Bangladesh fell during rain on Friday. There was no storm or gusty wind in the area when the tree fell, forest officials in Moulvibazar and locals told this correspondent on Monday. Samples of rotten roots have been sent to laboratories in forest departments in Dhaka University, Chittagang University and Mymensingh Agriculture University, Forest Research Centre at Sholashahar in Chittagang and the Science Laboratory in Dhaka to try to find the reason behind their decay.

Fresh leaves and tender branches of the tree have also been sent to the laboratories for tissue culture or grafting in an effort to save the species, they said.

In 1994-95, forest officials tried to grow its saplings by grafting method but failed.

The 80-feet tree was propped up and its roots covered with soil to see if new roots come out, they said.

The tree is also known as teak although it does not serve the purpose of furniture making.

The tree was one of the attractions at Lawachhara Reserve Forest, which drew tourists from home and abroad. Botany department students of different universities in the country also came to the reserve forest to see the tree.

As the news of collapse of the tree spread, high officials of forest department rushed to the spot. Those who visited the fallen tree included Ali Kabir Hayder, forest conservator of central zone, Monuj Kanti Roy, forest conservator (wild life management and nature) of Dhaka zone and Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer Lasker Maksudur Rahman.

Quoting from records, Sub-divisional Forest Officer Haq Mahbub Morshed in Moulvibazar said the tree was planted in 1900. It was the lone such tree in Bangladesh and possibly in Asia. It was an endangered species, he said.

He said it was a common belief with local people that that it was a chloroform tree and any body smelling its leaf would become unconscious. But it is not correct, Mahbub Morshed said.

The tree was at the entrance of the forest banglow of Lawachhara Reserve Forest.