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ORGANIC MONUMENTS OF SIVAGANGAI PARK AT

THANJAVUR

The rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu had played a key role in growing
wonderful trees in parks and temples. Though these trees had been
planted along the roads, canal banks and on the banks of ponds and
lakes, due to expansion of civilization most of them have disappeared.
Again, because of the vandalism of the axe-men and anti-social elements
also, many a tree of the yester centuries have vanished. Somehow,
because of the reverence and respect shown towards the trees by some
of the good-hearted persons, a few of such age-old trees are surviving till
date. Really we must be thankful to those architects for the good deed
done by them for the betterment of our state.

Sivagangai Park adjoining the Brahadeeswarar Temple also called

Peruvudaiyar Kovil is said to be the residential place for 107 dance artists,
1000 years ago. The lake located within the park was constructed by
Rajaraja Chola in order to harvest the rain water collected in the vast
premises of the Big Temple. The rain water that trickles down from the Sri
Vimanam of the temple is considered to be the holy water of Ganges and
it finally reaches the lake in the park. When the lake is full of water, the
seven large ponds around Thanjavur will get charged with water. That was
the kind of rain water supply system developed in those days. This was
created as a peoples park by the Tanjore municipality in 1871-72. This
park is housing a good number of rare tree species like Anaipuliya maram
(Adansonia digitata), Sterculia foetida (Indian Almond), Ficus benghalensis
(Ala maram), Bassia latifolia (Iluppai), Kigelia pinnata (Sivankundalam),
Couroupita guinanensis (Nagalingam), Michelia champaca (Shenbagam),
Melia azedarach (Malai vembu), etc.
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ANCIENT ANAIPULIYA MARAM (ADANSONIA DIGITATA) WITH A GIRTH OF

11.52 M, HEIGHT OF 13 M AND ABOUT 300 YEARS OLD IN SIVAGANGAI
PARK AT THANJAVUR

The Tamil name of this tree is Anaipuliya maram. The scientific name is
Adansonia digitata. This belongs to the family Bombacaceae. The
common names of this tree are baobab, dead-rat tree (from the
appearance of the fruits), upside-down tree (the sparse branches
resemble roots), cream of tartar tree (cream of tartar) and monkey-bread
tree (the soft, dry fruit is edible). A large, deciduous tree; trunk
disproportionately thick, rapidly tapering upwards and divided into large
limbs. The description about the tree in 15 th chapter of Bhavad Gita proves
its ancientness. This tree is considered to be the tenth wonder of the
world.

This tree can grow to a height of 25 m and its bottle-shaped trunk to a

diameter of 10-14 m. The trunk is monstrous and the cork like bark is fire
resistant. The tree will be leafless for nine months in a year. As its trunk
resembles a taproot and the branches look like capillary roots, it is said to
be upside-down tree. This is native to Africa, found growing especially in
drier parts. Sensitive to water logging and frost. The large and heavy
white flowers bloom at dusk and wilt by dawn. The musky odour of the
flowers helps pollination by fruit bats. The epithet digitata refers to the
fingers of a hand resembling the arrangement of the five leaflets. The fruit
contains Tartaric acid and Vitamin C. The dry pulp of the fruit is eaten
fresh and dissolved in milk or water to make a refreshing drink. Young
fresh leaves are cooked and eaten. The root of very young trees is edible.
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The seeds are also edible and can be roasted for use as a coffee
substitute. Caterpillars, which feed on the leaves are collected and eaten
by African people as a source of protein. The fresh leaves are good fodder
for domestic animals. Wild animals eat the fallen leaves. The fallen flowers
are relished by wild animals and cattle as well. Men and animals chew the
wood in times of drought as it provides vital moisture to relieve thirst. The
fibrous bark is used to make mats and ropes, fishing nets, fishing lines,
sacks as well as clothing. Though the bark is often heavily stripped by
people and elephants, they do not suffer as they have the ability to grow
continuously and produce a layer of bark. As the wood is soft and spongy,
it does not have much use. Rainwater collected in the clefts of large
branches is used by travellers and local people. In some cases it is said
that the centre of the tree is hollowed out to store rainwater with a
capacity of about 5000 litres with a hole and a plug to retrieve water
whenever required. The roots of the tree can also be tapped for water.
One of the largest baobabs in South Africa has a girth of 46.8 m (152 ft).
These colossal trees are known for storing water up to 120,000 litres
inside their swollen trunks to endure harsh drought conditions.

Because of their mind-boggling age, they are termed as the Organic

monument of our Planet. A recent study using carbon-dating techniques
as well as the study of core samples showing growth rings suggest that a
tree with a diameter of 10 m may be as old as 2000 years.

ANOTHER BAOBAB TREE WITH A GIRTH OF 5.92 M, HEIGHT OF 12 M AND

ABOUT 150 YEARS OLD FOUND AT THE ENTRANCE OF SIVAGANGAI PARK
IN THANJAVUR

The majestic Baobab is one of the longest lived and the largest trees in
the world. The name Adansonia was given to this tree in memory of
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Michael Adanson, the French naturalist who described it in 1750. There are
8 species of the genus Adansonia. Baobab is a native of Madagascar (6
species), Africa (1 species) and Australia (1 species). Adansonia digitata is
found only in Africa and Madagascar.

The African people consider them as sacred trees. Baobab provides

shelter for rose ringed parakeets, honey bees, fruit bats, etc. The leaves
are rich in calcium, iron, proteins and lipid. The leaves are used for
treating inflammation. The dried leaf powder is used for curing anaemia,
asthma, rachitis, dysentery and rheumatism. The fruit pulp is used for
treating dysentery, small pox and measles. The seeds containing
vegetable oil can be grilled and eaten. A kind of glue is obtained from the
pollen. It was an African custom to carry seeds as emergency ration
during a journey. The baobab seeds were a special treasure like the
pistachio nuts and tamarind seeds. Baobabs are said to have been
brought to the west coast of India by Arab traders more than a millennium
ago from sub-Sahara Africa.

The other parts of Tamil Nadu where baobab trees are found are the
campus of the Agri-Horticulture Society, Chennai, Madurai American
College, Madurai Court complex, Rameswaram, Sivagangai, Manamadurai,
Rajapalayam and the Forest College campus, Coimbatore. A Baobab tree
can help for the survival of a man throughout his lifetime by providing
food, water and shelter.
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STERCULIA FOETIDA-PEENARI TREE WITH A GIRTH OF 5.33 M, HEIGHT OF

18 M AND ABOUT 150 YEARS OLD IN SIVAGANGAI PARK AT THANJAVUR

This is a large deciduous tree, with erect trunk and greyish smooth bark.
The Wild Almond is a tall, straight and noble tree; flowers have a foetid
smell. Found in forests of West Coast from Konkan southwards, at low
elevations and also in South Travancore. This belongs to the family
Sterculiaceae. The common name is Indian Almond. In Tamil, it is called
Peenari or Kudrapudukku; Malayalam, Pinari; Kannada, Penari or
Kudregoit; Hindi, Jangli-badam. The branches are whorled and usually
horizontal with large, digitate leaves. Flowers dull-orange red; smell
pungent (owing its Tamil name). Fruit is composed by 1 to 5 ellipsoid
follicles. This is grown as shade tree in parks and gardens and on road
sides but at a certain distance from the homes. The wood is used for
house-building, canoes, furniture and musical instruments. The leaves are
used as fodder for animals. The resin exuding from the trunk and the
branches is used as glue. Seeds are roasted and eaten. Leaves, flowers
and seed oil are used in traditional medicine.

FICUS BENGHALENSIS-ALA MARAM WITH A GIRTH OF 9.05 M, HEIGHT OF

15 M AND ABOUT 200 YEARS OLD PROTECTED IN SIVAGANGAI PARK AT
THANJAVUR

The scientific name of this tree is Ficus benghalensis. Since most of the
trees were found in Bengal region, this name was given by the scientists.
This belongs to the family Moraceae. In Tamil, this is called Aal or Aala
maram. It is said that since many of the small vendors were using the
shade of this tree for selling their goods in north India, this was given the
name Banyan.

This is a large evergreen tree generally with numerous aerial roots on

branches. This grows in all districts from sea-level to 1219 meters, in
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deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. They are mostly planted along the
avenues for shade. This often starts life as an epiphyte.

The leaves of this tree are not only a good fodder for cattle, but also for
elephants. The milky juice is converted into birdlime and used for many
useful purposes. The fruits are relished by birds, bats, squirrels, goats,
bullocks, and pigs. During drought, the fruits are even eaten by men. In
olden days the soldiers were in the habit of eating the fruits, the tender
shoots of the aerial roots and tender leaves and the taste was said to be
equivalent to that of the intoxicating liquor Soma Banam. But the fruits
are said to be toxic to horses. The trunk is not having any useful value.

The tree has got lot of medicinal values. The bark, leaf, flower, fig, seed
and latex are used for treating polyuria, diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, dental
and gum disorders, poisoning and ulcers in Siddha.

The bark, leaf, figs and latex are used for curing diabetes mellitus,
erysipelas, burning sensation, uterine disorders, fainting and vomiting in
Ayurveda.

This tree can be grown easily in all types of soils except hard clayey soil.
By planting cuttings of this tree, this can be easily propagated. By growing
this tree in public places, along the roads, burial grounds, market areas,
grazing grounds and waste lands, very good shade can be created
moderating the rising temperature.

The ecosystem services what these trees provide such as shelter for
wildlife, carbon sequestration, release of oxygen, shade, soil conservation,
creation of microclimate, eco-tourism, etc are much more valuable. The
heritage trees of Tamil Nadu can be performed as an outreach ecology
endeavour for conserving nature. The ancient trees are keystone species
and important representatives of the natural forests. They stand
testimony to the social, cultural, spiritual and traditional values of the
people of this state. The medicinal values what they possess are being
made use of by the rural community from time immemorial. The living
fossils promote eco-tourism also to a great extent. So, the Government is
requested to identify the age-old trees by deputing a responsible team of
officers and scientists, take speedy action to conserve them and also
create awareness among the student community and other general public
about the importance of these valuable specimens as they are part of our
biological and cultural heritage.

V.Sundararaju.IFS(r), President, SOFCON, Trichy-620017.

Mobile:9443170366.