While the people of Hironokandi village in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj proudly call it their heritage, even the elderly villagers cannot say much about the mango tree, except that their fathers and grandfathers had seen it in a similar condition.
The extraordinary tree can be found after walking 300 metres on a road towards East from Hironokandi bus stand on Dhaka-Khulna highway, following the direction of a signboard.
Although it is locally called a century-old mango tree, several villagers think the tree could be even older, about 200 years old. Its nine large branches touch the earth like that of a banyan tree around its trunk.
“This mango tree was planted by one of our forefathers – Kinu Sheikh, who was the father of my grandfather,” said Badsha Sheikh, owner of the mango tree.
“Around 150 to 200 people come to see this mango tree daily. Sometimes people come here for picnic. On special occasions like Pohela Baishakh and Eid, thousands of people gather to see this mango tree.
“This old tree still bears delicious fruits,” he said.
Housewife Zarina Begum said she has seen the mango tree in the same condition since she came to Hironokandi 52 years ago. “I’ve heard from my father in law that our forefather Kinu Sheikh did not want this mango tree to be cut down. He had planted this tree so that the farmers from nearby lands could come and take rest under the shade of the tree.”
“I feel very happy to see that many people come to see this mango tree every day,” said Habibur Rahman, a resident of the Chorodanga village in Alfadanga, Faridpur district, who came to see the tree along with his family. “I’ve never seen a mango tree like it before. I am really happy to see it.”
Villagers have demanded that the government take steps to preserve the tree to help it survive for many more years.
The District Commissioner of Gopalganj, Md Mokhlesur Rahman Sarker said, “This tree is a heritage of our locality. Every day hundreds of people come to see it. I want the appropriate authorities to take measures to preserve the tree and make a tourist spot here.” He added that he will speak with the higher authorities regarding the preservation and maintenance of the tree.
