Why is it in the News?

Silk cotton trees are dwindling in south Rajasthan, triggering a chain of detrimental effects on both the forests and the local populace in the region.

About Silk Cotton Tree:

• The silk cotton tree, or the semal tree is a type of native cotton tree with large red flowers.
• The genus name Salmalia is derived from the Sanskrit name Shaalmali.
• Silk cotton trees comprise eight species in the genus Bombax, native to India, tropical southern Asia, northern Australia and tropical Africa.
• These trees bear beautiful red-coloured flowers from January to March and the fruit on maturity appears during March and April.
  • These are full of cotton-like fibrous stuff.
• It is for the fibre that villagers gather the semul fruit and extract the cotton substance called "kopak".
  • This substance was once used for stuffing pillows, sofas and mattresses.
• The fruit is cooked and eaten and also pickled.
• Semul is quite a fast-growing tree and can attain a girth of 2 to 3 m, and a height of about 30 m, in nearly 50 years or so.
• It thrives in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, as well as in plains, with occasional sightings in coastal areas and up to 1400 m in hilly regions.
• The tree is not particularly frost-tolerant and may get damaged by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.
• Among the Garasia tribe in Rajasthan, the tree holds cultural significance, with some believing their lineage traces back to semal trees.

Distribution:

• Its distribution spans across various regions in India, including Andaman & Nicobar Island, Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Importance of the Tree:

• The tree's importance lies in its resistance to fire and its renowned cooling properties, making it valuable for land reclamation efforts.
• It generates abundant biomass each season and aids in carbon sequestration by shedding leaves before flowering.
• The late flowering of the small tree is considered by some researchers as a potential indicator of a hot summer or delayed monsoon.
• The silk cotton tree is known for its medicinal properties.
  • The tree’s bark, leaves, and seeds are utilised in traditional medicine to cure various ailments, including fever, diarrhoea and skin conditions.
  • The tree is also used as a natural remedy for wounds and cuts.
• The tree also serves as a habitat for rock bees, as its spikes deter sloth bears, and its reddish roots are consumed by tribal communities during the monsoon.
• Furthermore, it offers opportunities for agroforestry and provides essential resources like food, fodder, and fuelwood, with its wood being used by various tribes for crafting musical instruments and utensils.