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The Karanj Tree (Pongamia pinnata): Its Cultural and Traditional Significance in the Tribal Community of Tigwal Village, Jharkhand
The karanj tree (Pongamia pinnata) is a large, deciduous tree native to India and other parts of Asia. It is a valuable tree with a wide range of uses, including medicinal, culinary, and industrial. In the village of Tigawal in the Gumla district of Jharkhand, India, there is a particularly old and revered karanj tree that is considered a sacred site. The karanj tree of Tigawal is estimated to be over 100 years old. It is a massive tree with a wide canopy that provides shade for the villagers. The tree is also a source of food and medicine, and its leaves are used to make traditional remedies. The villagers believe that the tree has special powers and that it protects them from harm.
The karanj tree of Tigawal is an important part of the village’s culture. It is often used as a place for religious ceremonies and festivals. The villagers also believe that the tree is home to spirits, and they frequently make offerings to appease these spirits.
Karanj is increasingly used for oil production due to its application in biodiesel. The villagers traditionally use this oil for lighting, as a raw material for soaps, varnishes, and paints, to repel insects in storage installations, and as a mosquito repellent. The wood of the karanj tree is used by the villagers for fuel, and its bark is used for making fiber, which can be turned into rope. Karanj leaves are a potential source of fodder, and their fragrant flowers provide pollen and nectar from which bees produce dark honey. Many parts of the tree are utilized in ethnomedicine.
The karanj tree is also an important species for afforestation. The byproducts of oil extraction are used as animal feed for chickens and ruminants or as fertilizer. By passing on their knowledge of this tree to the next generation, the villagers hope to ensure that this significant tree is preserved for future generations.
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