Scientists revive efforts to clone Barabanki's Parijaat tree, eye monsoon date for tissue culture

LUCKNOW: Scientists have renewed efforts to clone Barabanki's revered Parijaat tree, which finds epic mention in Mahabharat, and has been ailing for long.
National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), the Lucknow-based lab of CSIR that has been monitoring the health of the sacred baobab (Adansonia digitata) in Kintoor village, around 38km east of the district headquarters, along with the forest department, hopes to collect tissue for culture this monsoon.
Chief scientist, NBRI, professor SK Tiwari said they had made a similar endeavour in 2017, but faced resistance from local priests who wouldn't allow them to collect samples for culture and cloning. "This time, we are determined to counter resentment. Also, instead of growing the clones on the same premises, we will raised them at other conducive sites. Collection of tissue will be done soon," Tiwari told TOI.
The onus to care for the tree rests on the forest department because the less-than-an-acre plot where the tree stands is forestland. The tree has been under constant treatment since February 2016 for various bacterial and fungal infections. "In the past 10 years, the tree has not flowered the way it used to. However, it is showing signs of recovery," said DFO, Barabanki, NK Singh. "Cloning is expected to keep its legacy alive," he added.
The baobab is sub-Sahara species and hence, its presence in the fertile soil of India makes it incredibly rare. It is quite possible that the Parijaat in Kintoor may have been planted by someone who used to travel between India and Africa.
Sugary offerings had caused deep gash in tree trunk
Often known as kalpvriksh (the wish-granting tree), the Parijaat has mythological significance. It is said to have come out of Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) and brought to Earth by Arjun from the garden of Indra for his mother Kunti. It is said after Kunti offered Parijaat’s flowers to Lord Shiva, the Pandavas won the battle against Kauravas in Mahabharat. According to scientists, sugary offerings made by devotees in the past had caused a deep gash in the trunk of the tree. Following joint conservation efforts by the forest department and NBRI, the temple at the base of the tree was closed.
Forest officials have also submitted a proposal to the state government, seeking funds to develop the site that currently has a park, benches and a few other amenities provided by the Barabanki district administration for visitors.