The Heritage Green Monuments of India.

What if I tell you, there is a tree that can store a whopping 1000 liters of water in its stems or a tree whose fruits have 6 times more Vitamin C than an orange.

Baobab are one of the most ancient trees existing on the planet, existing even before the continents even split. Today Baobab grows across the Tropical region of Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Australia, Hawai, and India.

Originally, This gentle giant belongs to South Africa and is loved and revered in its homeland Africa. It is known as ‘The Tree of Life’ for its life-giving properties and the hope and shelter it provides in a barren or unforgiving landscape.

Baobab’s in India

India is home to only one of the nine species of Baobab, most of which can be seen across the region of the Indian Western Coast.

Indeed, as an Endangered Species of Tree, The sightings of Baobab are limited and anecdotal.

The Region of Mumbai is home to more than 100 of these heritage green monuments. Trees in lesser numbers are also found in villages across the Kutch region of Gujarat, Vasai Fort in Maharashtra, Madhyapradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Karnataka, etc.

We can say that the distribution of Baobabs in India is associated with its long history of the African diaspora. We identify that Africans from different regions would have traveled to India and there is a possibility of these 4 major identified periods.

In Picture: Me along with The Baobab Tree at Bhujpur, Kutch in Gujarat.

- Thousands of years ago when cereals and legumes arrived in India from Sudan, Ethiopia, and from the horn of Africa. (Probably 4000 years ago)
- 10th to 17th Century via the Swahili Arab Trade Network.
- 17th to 19th Century owned to Portuguese, established colonies, in Mozambique and Southern and Western part of India.
- 18th and 19th Centuries when English and Dutch recruited soldiers from West Africa for the regiment in South India.

These sailors and traders dropped baobab seeds where ever they landed, probably unintentionally, spreading the reach of the baobab to different parts of India.

There are several stories described in Hindu and Muslim(Arab) mythology about the arrival of Baobabs.

Baobab is known as ‘Kalpavriksha’, The wish-fulfilling tree in India.

Historical Evolution of Baobab

Due to their ancient evolutionary history, Baobab trees possess incredible features. Their roots have undergone centuries of refinement to possess the ability to store water. Today, they can thrive in the harshest conditions. In the earliest civilizations, Baobab’s water storing capacity have exploited. During droughts, Baobab became a precious source of water. 1 single tree of Baobab can store a whopping 1000 Gallons of Water.

Uses of Baobab

This fruit contains an abundance of antioxidants and outshines several other superfoods on the ORAC Scale

According to the Book ‘ The Indian Medical Plants’, Baobab acts as a coolant, refrigerant, anti-dysenteric, antihistaminic and anti-antiseptic. Locals across Madhya Pradesh, Kutch, use the leaves as a prophylactic against fevers, and an infusion with flowers treat respiratory disorders.

Several civilizations also utilized the dried and powdered fruit pulp to cure asthma & allergic diseases. Despite the usefulness, the tree faces extension in India.

Fruit/Pods of Baobab

The fruit of Baobab is rich in Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, etc. The Mega Dose of Vitamin C contents of its fruits is six times greater than the oranges and this has led to the early contribution of its early geopolitical journey across the globe.

Do not expect baobab to be pulpy and sweet like other fruits. Its edible portion has a dry, chalky and powdery taste. Baobab tastes insipid with a mildly sour, citrusy flavor.

The fruits can be consumed raw. The powder of these fruits is used to make Juice, Icecream, Topping masala for Salads, etc.

Baobab’s power is imported to India and is also available online across various websites at an incredibly costly rate. However, this product is still yet to arrive in India’s grocery market.

Conclusion

This gentle giant has offered a bounty for thousands of years, and it still continues to give. It is truly a Tree of Life.

1. India is home to a handful of Baobab. There are no official records of how many baobabs actually exist in India. The civic authorities (BMC) of Mumbai has recently conducted a census of these trees. There is a requirement for a census of this species on a National Level which can help us understand the national presence of this species in India.
2. Almost all of the trees are old and reflect the ancient heritage and a completely different story. These trees are even older than the majority of existing historical concrete structures in the country. Currently, The United Nations have listed this tree as ‘Engendered’ species. These trees need to be given National Importance and need to be conserved. Bihar’s Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park has preserved its only 1 existing tree of Baobab as a part of its conservation efforts.
3. The powder of baobab is a superfood. It’s time to rethink our consumption of vitamin supplements, Baobab powder is a perfect natural alternative!. Consumption of baobab will definitely help the local people play a major role as the majority of these trees in India are located in rural parts of the country. This can also help us increase the demand for superfoods in India thus creating a local rewarding economy.
4. Baobab Plantations in areas affected by droughts can be a smart strategy for saving the future of the people of India. Think about it, Baobab can be a game-changer not only for India but for millions of people around the globe who are at risk of being displaced as a result of drought by 2030.