As the spring season is in full bloom with the southern breeze prevailing over the season of colour, Mohadevpur upazila—which used to be adorned with the red blossomed sky-high Shimul—has taken on a faded look this year in the alarming absence of the tree.
Shimul, scientifically known as Bombax ceiba and locally as the red silk cotton tree, can live for a century and a half with minimum care in favourable environment.
The indiscriminate felling of Shimul trees for commercial purposes has risen over the years, with the consequence that the trees are now on the verge of extinction in the region.
The number of silk cotton trees has declined drastically with neither government nor any non-government organisation taking any initiative to plant new trees, which require at least five to six years to flower after planting.
About 12 years ago, the Shimul tree was a common scene in the district where on roadsides, on the banks of rivers and ponds, and on fallow lands the massive trees were noticed. But nowadays such a scene is rare, according to Abu Taher, an elderly resident of the area.
The medicinal properties of the tree are abundant and can be used to treat diseases such as cholera and tubercular fistula, Abu Taher said.
Ayurvedic physicians had used the barks, flowers, fruits and leaves of the silk cotton tree in treating different diseases, locals said.
Although the stout trunk of the tree suggests that it is useful for timber, its wood is too soft to be very useful and is only appropriate as proxy support in construction, said Kafil Uddin, another elderly resident.
"The amount of cotton a full-grown Bombax tree produces can be sold for between Tk10,000 and Tk15,000 each season," said Kafil.
Despite being rich in demand for cotton and medicinal properties, the sale of these trees and their use as low quality timber is surprising to some locals.
In modern times, the wood of the tree is used in preparing pulp for making paper, making matchsticks and boxes, and as construction material and firewood. Meanwhile, the cotton produced from the tree is used extensively for making pillows, mattresses and quilts.
The number of such trees has reduced drastically and the price of silk-cotton has also increased as a result. At present silk cotton is costlier than other varieties of cotton. It is selling at Tk350 to Tk400 per kg, while Egyptian cotton is being sold at Tk120 to Tk150 per kg.
People who have cut down silk cotton trees have not replaced them by transplanting any saplings of the variety for lack of space and because of its lengthy growing period. If the relevant authorities could save the trees from falling prey to public use, its extinction could be checked, said Md Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Dholu, chairman of Sadar union of Mohadevpur.
Rajshahi Forest Department Divisional Officer Ahmed Niamur Rahman said: “Many people in Naogaon had sold their Shimul trees for quick profit, about which the forest department was unware.
“However, the department has plans to plant Shimul trees at a mass scale in Naogaon to and bring them under the jurisdiction. This project will facilitate the return of Shimul trees and reverse the natural imbalance.”
