The 316-year-old chapalish tree in Rangamati is 103 metres long and 25 metres in circumference.
316 years! How many currents have flowed down the Padma and how many stories have been written in the pages of history. While everything else has vanished with time, one tree has stood in its own glory for 316 years as a witness to history.
The towering chapalish tree, standing on the shore of Kaptai lake at the entrance to the DC bungalow in Rangamati town, is now not only a silent witness to history but also a centre of attraction for tourists.
A cool refuge by the lake
According to locals, sitting under the huge tree soothes the soul and fills the mind with pure calm.
On a visit, people from different parts of Rangamati town were seen coming to the tree morning and afternoon for a little cool relief. The tree, covered with epiphytes, is always surrounded by different kinds of birds, so the area is always full of their sweet song. Sitting under the tree, you can see the blue waters of Kaptai lake, which makes the place many times more beautiful.
Sajid Bin Zahid Miki, general secretary of the Rangamati voluntary organisation "Jibon", said the 316-year-old chapalish tree next to the DC bungalow park is a witness to Rangamati's history, heritage and diversity. Having stood proudly for three long centuries, it is the oldest tree in the hills, and various nearly extinct species of birds take shelter in it from time to time.
Calls for better care
He said the tree is showing signs of age and lacks proper maintenance and care. Although the administration has built a platform around the tree, its spreading roots are constantly being damaged by some careless people. So the tree needs closer attention and proper care, he said.
Md Rafiquzzaman Shah, divisional forest officer of the Chittagong Hill Tracts South Forest Division, said the huge chapalish tree has survived for so many years mainly because of care. Trees can live for many years if they get a good environment, he said. The chapalish is a tree of the jackfruit family, but it is much larger and straighter than the jackfruit tree, and it is a favourite food of wild animals.
Source: Dhaka Tribune. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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