Red sandalwood or blood sandalwood tree, which recently came to limelight due to popular Indian Telegu cinema "Puspa: The Rise", has been found in Madhupur forest of Tangail.

The rare and valuable tree was found in front of the Dokhala Forest Rest House. If one pokes the trunk of the tree which is hard enough, blood-like red sapcomes out. This aroused the curiosity of the people.

Visitors from far and wide have been gathering to see the tree since the news spread. Curious people poke it here and there to witness the red-coloured fluid. Many take pictures and videos of it.

Photo: Star

Abdul Hamid Miah from Biswas Betka area came to see the tree from Tangail town. "This red sandalwood tree is very rare. I heard that it was found here," he said.

Idris Ali, one of the locals, said that nobody was interested about the tree before.

"But after watching Puspa movie, people are coming to see it from different places," he said.

Although the tree does not produce flowers or seeds, the visitors are demanding that it be propagated anyhow.

Mahmudul Hasan, additional deputy director of nursery division of Department of Agricultural Extension in Tangail, said that this is the only blood sandalwood tree in Bangladesh.

"We think the wood of this tree is worth TK 12 to 13 thousand per kg," he said.

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Meanwhile, steps have been taken to protect, conserve and propagate the rare tree, the Tangail Forest Department said.

According to the forest department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib in 1971 stayed at Dokhala Rest House near which the tree was found.

The blood sandalwood of the tree is used for medicinal purposes. It is also used by Hindu community for religious purposes.

Ismail Hossain, range officer of Dokhala, said that there are no flowers, fruits and seeds of this tree.

"However, the initiative of propagation will be taken after discussion with the higher authorities," he said.

However, the official could not tell who planted this tree there.

Photo: Star

"Every day people are coming to see it. We talked to the higher authorities and arranged for its protection. We have made arrangements for the people to see it from far so that the visitors cannot cause any harm to it," he added.

Tangail Divisional Forest Officer Md Sajjaduzzaman said, "Talks are underway with the higher authorities to take all necessary steps for the conservation and propagation of the tree."

AKM Mohiuddin, a professor of biotechnology and genetic engineering at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, said he is interested to help propagate this endangered red sandalwood tree through tissue culture.