BREMIJI OR NETTLE TREE FACES EXTINCTION IN KASHMIR

                                                                                   

SULTAN ZAIN UL ABDIN'S TOMB IN ZAINAKADAL SRINAGAR AND  MALKHAH AREA NEAR RAINAWARI SRINAGAR KASHMIR

(  ABOVE  TWO PHOTOGRAPHS BY  AUTAR MOTA )

TO THESE PHOTOGRAPHS  I AM ADDING A BRIEF STORY ON EXTINCTION OF BRIMJI OR NETTLE TREE IN KASHMIR..

BREMIJI OR NETTLE TREE IN KASHMIR

Bremjj Happens to be amongst some oldest trees world over . Known as Nettle Tree outside Kashmir, It grows in many countries Of Asia , Europe and USA . It also grows in Australia and some African countries.
A cool shady tree that was seen near Graveyards or Ziyarats of saints in Kashmir , whereat , as per Local belief , it was planted by Syeds from central Asia followed by Sufi saints . They possibly believed in providing some cool shade to those who lay buried .

In 2010, I Could locate a few Bremiji trees in Malla -khah Graveyard of the city near Rainawari and just one inside the Tomb of sultan Zain Ul Abdin In Down Town Zaina Kadal. May be more are still there in villages that I could not check .I can only say about the city where it is almost extinct.

The fruit of Bremiji , reportedly sweet to taste , invited a variety of birds to this tree in summers . In kashmr , the tree would flower in mid April with seeds ripening in mid October . The size of kashmirian Nettle tree is comparatively small. Normally It grows to a height of maximum 10 to 12 feet from the ground and from top it spreads like an Umbrella .The fruit is also smaller , smaller than the size of a Cherry .The flowers are Hermaphrodite( Having Both Male and female organs ) and are pollinated by bees . Its leaves remain bright green in summer season and turn yellow in autumn before they fade away for winter . A very slow growth spread over many years changes a small shrub into a tall shady Bremiji Tree. The tree can also grow in dry soil.

                                                                               

                                           ( Bremiji or Nettle Tree  flowers and Fruits )

This tree ,that grows in cool temperate climates is also defiant to Air pollution . The tree / plant has too many medicinal properties .Unani Hakeems would use its leaves and the fruit ( Like small Berry with one seed inside it ) for stomach ailments especially for treatment of diarrhea , dysentery and peptic ulcers. The leaves of the tree are a rich source of flavonoid and glycosides.

The tree also grows in other parts of the country and its leaves are widely used in Ayurvedic Preparations for treatment of urinary disorders, fevers and allergies .

With fresh plantation having come to halt , the tree is facing extinction in Kashmir valley .

Many Poets from kashmir have used this tree symbolically in their poems .I came across its mention in a Gazal of noted kashmiri poet Rafiq Raaz. This Gazal was written during the dark days of Militancy in Kashmir 
I quote four lines …….

Dhoo’r Hu’thh Bremijji Kullis Aayii Zabaan
Natcheini Laejji La’sha Hubba shab chhu siyaah .
Paan Goss La’bana yunaai Gham chhu Yutuaai 
Taaf Gotchh Raah e Khudaa Shab chhu siyaah 
( Rafiq Raaz )

Faraway , that nettle tree has started to converse now ,
There, Those dead bodies too are up and dancing .
Lord ! Help us to trace out our own self now ,
Sunshine this way , These nights are pitch dark……

( Autar Mota )

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