Dhangadhi, July 7:

Bijayasal, a tree linked with the identity of the far-west, is on the verge of extinction, thanks to rampant felling.

Water stored in pots made from Bijayasal wood is believed to cure illnesses.

Bijayasal is found in the Chure areas of Kailali and Kanchanpur districts. As per tradition, stems of Bijayasal are presented as mementos to participants at important functions taking place in the far-west.

Bijayasal trees are being felled illegally these days. Ignorant of the value of Bijayasal, some people are even using the felled Bijayasal trees as firewood.

Bijayasal trees are found near the Behadababa Temple in Urma VDC and the Chure region in Godabari VDC of Kailali and Rautela, Betkot and Ghadighanch in Kanchapur.

“Most of the people in the Chure region do not know the value of Bijayasal (botanical name Tacocarpus Marsupium.)

Locals felling the trees use them as firewood,” proprietor of the Ishwori Wood Industry Dharmaraj Bohara says.

“To save Bijayasal trees from extinction,” Bohara has established a wood industry specialising in Bijayasal.

“Though I do not make profit from my factory, I am running it to protect the Bijayasal tree, which is the identity of the far-west,” says Bohara.

A health worker associated with the Ayurved system of medicine says, “Diseases like gastritis, ulcers, high blood pressure, joint pain, jaundice and complications related to menstruation will be cured if a person drinks water kept in a pot made from Bijayasal wood regularly.”