the goan I network
QUEPEM
The rare and centuries-old Baobab tree near the Quepem Police station has been the pride of Quepem town and an unusual attraction among locals and visitors alike, amid estimates that barely 4-5 Baobab trees are in the State.
Such has been the interest in protecting the Baobab tree in Quepem, that Dr R Dessai, an expert from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Old Goa, along with Dr Durai provided the much-needed treatment to rejuvenate the damaged and dead portion of the bark, to give Quepem’s popular tree a new lease of life.
Concerns over the condition of the Baobab tree were voiced a few months ago, when a big hole was noticed at the bark.
Adv Khagendra Hegde Dessai, a concerned citizen from Quepem, wrote to Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai to take steps to protect the tree, while Manuel Colaco and James Fernandes also approached the forest department and agriculture department in a bid to protect the historic tree from Quepem.
According to locals, the Baobab tree is locally known as the “Gorochinch” tree, which is said to have been derived from its inner white sour seeds, Gora (white) and “Chinch” (Tamarind).
Dr R Dessai of ICAR opined that the tree had suffered severe chemical burns which damaged a portion of the outer layer of the bark.
“During an inspection of the damaged portion, several new roots were seen coming out and these roots will give the much-needed support and nutrition to the tree,” Dr Dessai said.
According to research by a young scholar Dale Menezes from Quepem, there are 4-5 odd Baobab trees in Goa, which are believed to be have been brought to Goa by the Portuguese. Their capacity to store vast quantities of water in their trunks has earned them the name ‘Tree of Life’ and a single tree can hold up to 4,500 litres of water.
