Hollong Tree

28 Oct 2024 12:40:22 pm

Tags : Hollong Tree

Topic: Biodiversity

Why in the news?

Rabha tribals in south Kamrup of Assam have initiated a plantation drive of the majestic and perennial ‘Hollong’ tree, which is the official state tree of Assam, to establish a conducive ecosystem for vulture species.

Source: The Times of India

About Hollong Tree:

It is a large tree and perhaps the best known species in the genus Dipterocarpus.
It is native to China, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and India.
The tree, some 20–30 m. tall, is found in Cambodia in dense forests of the plains, common on hillsides and along rivers and in forests between 800 m. and 1,500 m. altitude.
It is the state tree of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, India.
In India, the timber is used for plywood and making various containers. In China, timber is used in construction.
It is a sacred tree for the Moran community of Assam.
It is farmed for its timber and resin.
- In Cambodia, the resin is collected by people in the mountainous regions, in order to make torches and candles, while the wood is used in construction to make columns and boards.

Rabha Tribes:

These are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group who live mostly in the Northeast Indian state of Assam, with a lesser population in the adjacent state of West Bengal.
They primarily inhabit the plains of Lower Assam and the Dooars, while some are found in the Garo Hills. Most of the Rabhas of Dooars refer to themselves as Rabha, but some of them often declare themselves as Kocha.
They have a rich, multi-faceted and distinct culture of their own.
The Rabha society is matrilineal .
The village economy is based on agriculture and both men and women work in the fields.
The women wear colorful clothes that they weave themselves and wear a lot of beads and silver ornaments.
The Rabhas are non-vegetarians and rice is their staple food.