Grow Salai Trees for Health and Economic Growth

Salai tree or the Boswellia is the tree of economic and medicinal importance. It is a deciduous tree of middle size. Leaves of this tree are pinnately compound. Leafless trees go into inflorescence. It has a specific gum known in Hindi as Luban which is used for worship by Sufis and Hindus. It is also famous for the fragrance of its gum. The tree is found in many parts of India including Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Punjab etc.

According to a media report the gum extracted out from the Salai tree which principally grows in the forests of Shyopur district of Madhya Pradesh can change fortune of local tribals.

The gum extracted out of the Salai tree is fragrant. It is used in medicines and perfumes. In view of these benefits the Pharmza Company of Gujrat has joined hands with tribal farmers of this area.

The Pharmza Company of Gujrat has made forest committees of tribals. With their help it has started plantation of Salai plants in Ochhapur area in 25 ha. These plants are collected from the forest and transplanted in the area by tribal people.

The Company has assured to spend rupees 10 lakh each year for three successive years on plantation, care and maintenance. The company has allocated he fund for the first year. The plans when they will grow into trees are to be donated to tribals. The tribals will be able to sell the gum of their trees to the company.

The programme of Salai plantation has been started by the company under its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme. Accordingly, it has reported to handover the trees to tribals after the programme. The tribal people themselves will extract the gum and will sell it to the company. Thus the economic conditions of tribal people will be improved.

The Salai tree takes proper growth within 6 to 8 months. The tree trunks are punctured at certain places and the gum starts coming out from those wholes within ten days. The gum is collected in suitable pots.A tree takes about two years to grow properly.

Under the scheme, tribals can offer the tree as gifts in the marriages of their daughters so that the tree can add up to the economic growth of the girl. The Forest Department reports that it is a tribal system and the department has nothing to do with the matter of gifting or loaning trees by farmers.

Medicinal Properties

The gum of the plant has anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent breakdown of connective tissues. The gum is both, anti- fungal and anti-bacterial. It is reported to be very helpful in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, respiratory tract abnormalities etc.

Salai Tree, gum, Loban, arthritis