Terminalia Tomentosa Tree: The specialty of the Indian Laurel (Terminalia Tomentosa) tree is that it stores water in its stem during winter, so that it can be used in case of shortage of water during summer. In this matter, the indigenous knowledge of the Konda Reddy tribe, a tribal group living in the Papikonda hill range in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, is shocking.
Terminalia Tomentosa Water: Thousands of secrets are hidden in nature. With the development of knowledge and science, new secrets are being unveiled every day. But there is some information which tribal communities have been using for centuries, but the rest of the world is still unaware of it. One such case is the art of obtaining water from trees during water crisis during summer. Yes, a similar video is becoming increasingly viral on social media, where a stream of water can be seen coming out of a tree.
Actually, this is Indian laurel (Terminalia tomentosa) tree. The specialty of this tree is that it stores water in its trunk during winter, so that it can be used during summer when there is shortage of water. In this matter, the indigenous knowledge of the Konda Reddy tribe, a tribal group living in the Papikonda hill range in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, is shocking. In fact, the people of this tribe told the forest department that during the summer season, during the water crisis, they get drinking water from the laurel tree.
These trees are found in the forests of Andhra Pradesh
To confirm this, Andhra Pradesh Forest Department officials on Saturday cut the bark of the laurel tree (Terminalia tomentosa) found in Papikonda National Park in Rampa Agency of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, to ascertain the authenticity of the tree. It stores water, especially in summer, as claimed by the tribe, so water gushed out as soon as the bark was cut.
During parched summers the Indian Laurel tree Terminalia tomentosa stores water. The water has strong smell and tastes sour.
Amazing Adaptation in Indian Forests.
Knowledge courtesy : Konda Reddy Tribes of AP. pic.twitter.com/szLY75UTjK— IFS Narentheran (@NarentheranGG) March 30, 2024
Officials confirmed
Rampachodavaram Divisional Forest Officer G.G. Naren Theran led the team conducting the experiment as part of his regular visits to the national park. Giving information about this, Forest Officer Narendran said that during dry summer, the Indian Laurel tree accumulates water, which has a strong odor and sour taste. He said that this shows a wonderful adaptation in the trees of Indian forests.
Laurel wood is very expensive
The wood of the Indian Laurel, also known as Indian Silver Oak, has high commercial value. However, forest officials did not disclose the exact location of the tree as a measure to conserve the species.
