MURDERING OF BURSERA TREES IN TATAGUNI ESTATE

 The highways of Bangalore and the areas surrounding them have witnessed tremendous developments over the years. Industries, educational institutions mushrooming at a rapid pace, small and big apartments providing housing to the constantly growing population are the signs of rapid urbanization. But, along with development there has also been a rapid decrease in the vegetation.  

One such highway that still boasts of good amount of greenery is National Highway-209 or Kanakapura road .On this green and scenic road about 20 kilometers from Bangalore lies Tataguni estate, once owned by the popular film actress of yesteryears,  Devika Rani and her Russian painter husband Svetoslav Roerich. Stretching across 457 acres, this plantation is a home to the perfumed Bursera trees also called Linaloe. These trees are a native of Mexico.  Large number of Parrots, Peacocks, Jackals, Rabbits and many species of birds inhabit this estate. It is also a trial for elephants from Bannerghatta. Bursera trees easily grow in rocky soil with less rainfall and reach a height of 6 to 7.5 meters. The plants start shedding leaves during November and are completely bare of foliage till March and by April new leaves along with buds appear. Berries start setting by May and mature by July and August, and then they are harvested, dried and dehusked to extract oil from the husk. Almost all part of the tree contain aroma.  The oil which is extracted from these trees is used in perfumes, cosmetics and perfumed soaps.

When the couple died this plantation was taken over by the state government, and they had planned to set up a museum and a cultural centre for preserving the belongings of the couple and also the paintings of Roerich. But, over the years the condition of the plantation has become worse. Almost half of the 60,000 Bursera trees have disappeared, either due to poor maintenance or have been cut by the villagers to be utilized as fire wood. In addition to the Bursera trees,  the plantation holds a 11 acre lake .This beautiful plantation is a pride of Bangalore and can be considered as the next major lung space  other than Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park. If the Government doesn’t take proper action to protect the vast reserve of these unique trees, the remaining Bursera trees may disappear from our sight and our mind.