Ancient Himalayan Secrets : The Enigmatic Bhojpatra and Mana Village

05 Aug 2023, The enigmatic Himalayan Birch, colloquially known as Bhojpatra, flourishes in altitudes surpassing 3,000 m. A deciduous denizen indigenous to the Western Himalayas, it finds its arboreal abode up to an impressive 4,500 m above sea level. Of particular intrigue is its remarkable ability to withstand freezing temperatures, affording it a conspicuous treeline status in the Himalayan expanse.
In antiquity, its resplendent, parchment-like bark served as a medium for inscribing hallowed Sanskrit scriptures and texts. Presently, it still finds utility in penning sacred mantras, often ensconced within amulets for fortification.
Alas, the Bhojpatra faces sundry threats, chiefly arising from heedless deforestation driven by unrestrained exploitation. Unlawful and unregulated felling for the timber and parchment trades further exacerbates the situation. Moreover, the scourge of disease and pestilence renders the trees vulnerable to additional perils.
To avert the encroaching endangerment, fervent efforts towards conservation have been set in motion. As of 1993, the nascent nursery for high-altitude Bhojpatra was sowed at the verdant Chirbasa, an ascent above Gangotri, a destination sacred to numerous Hindus seeking the fount of the revered Ganges. Spearheading this noble cause, the intrepid Himalayan mountaineer, Harshvanti Bisht, has been unwavering in her pursuit of reforesting Bhojpatra within the perimeters of the Gangotri National Park.
Shifting our narrative to the idyllic hamlet of Mana, ensconced within the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India, a quaint settlement flirts with the Indo-Tibetan borderscape. In days of yore, Mana was extolled as the "Last Village of India," a sobriquet stemming from its adjacency to the frontier. However, metamorphosing with time, it now luxuriates in the appellation "First Indian Village." Moreover, the village boasts proximity to the hallowed Badrinath shrine, hallowed grounds located a mere three kilometers distant. As the legend goes, the village is steeped in lore, believed to be the very birthplace of the revered Pandavas.
In summation, the enigmatic Himalayan Birch, alias Bhojpatra, assumes a paramount role in sundry domains such as artistic pursuits, handicrafts, and pharmaceutical endeavors, immeasurably enriching the local economy. Hence, a clarion call resounds, entreating conscientious exertion in preserving this invaluable species, safeguarding its unassailable endurance and ecological pertinence.