Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: The historical tree of white mulberry in Singoor village of Chitral town fell to the ground as strong winds continue to lash the valley for the last two days. The tree has already completed its physical age of 200 years.
Dwarfing all the trees in the village, it was known as boekan mrach (the mulberry of birds) and had attained the height of about 100 feet, covering a circular area of over 20 feet radius.
The area elders said that as per tradition and tales transmitted orally from the past, its sapling was planted during the rule of Muhtaram Shah Katur II (1792 to 1837), the 10th ruler of Katur dynasty.
The over 200 years old mulberry tree was located in Singoor village
They said the ownership of the land and the tree standing on it went on changing hands, but no one chopped it partially or solely and it kept on growing both vertically and horizontally, finally becoming an icon of the village.
Haji Gulab Khan said mulberry had its core importance in old days which supplemented the food need as it was dried for the winter season and its leaves were used in silk farming which made the feed of silk larvae.
He said that during his childhood in early 1940s he found the gigantic tree of mulberry as a central place for the villagers who rested under its expansive shade during scorching summer season when there was no electricity.
“Children played under its shade in the afternoons saving themselves from the heat of sunshine and gossiped till a flash flood from the pasture passed through it, inundating the lush green grass with debris leaving behind a permanent drain,” he said.
Thank you Chitraltoday for your appreciation and providing space for news of importance. We join in condolence with the birds of various species, such as dove, sparrow, Golden oriole and many more.
We have already lost Chumuti Chinar and Guruli Rogh which had their own history.