Dulal Mia, Sunamganj

Hijalgach (Indian Oak) . A well-known tree of Haor region. It is a reservoir of natural beauty. In the stormy waters of the Haor stands the Hijalgach(Indian Oak) of great vitality. Sometimes alone, sometimes in rows. Hijalgach makes the beauty of Haor unique in monsoons by standing in the water. Hijalgach is born naturally in Haorr. This tree enriches and benefits the biodiversity of Haor in many ways. Even after being submerged for months under water, it is fine, it does not die. This tree is more common around wetlands. The plant can survive even in extreme summers. The branches of this tree are very useful for making fish sanctuary in Haor area. Due to carelessness and indifference of the administration, our famous Hijalgach is disappearing day by day.

Hijalgach(Indian Oak) grow on the edge of Haor forest, house edge, kanda, canal, beel, river-channel, haor, baor and doba. Hazel wood is soft, white in color, bright, smooth and durable. Its wood is used for making boats as it does not rot in water. It is also widely used as fuel. Hijal flowers bloom in the month of Baisakh-Jaishtha. Hazel flowers are very beautiful in light pink color. Flowers bloom late at night. Fall in the morning. The flowers have a sweet intoxicating smell.

Hijalgach is a shelter for animals, birds and fish. Boatmen take shelter in Hijalgacha when they are hit by storms in the rainy season. On the other hand, it also plays a role in preventing soil erosion and protecting dams. However, even if it is lost day by day, the local administration has no initiative to save the hijalgach.
Hijalgach is a friend of fishermen and farmers. Farmers can take shelter under its shade in the hot sun. Afal – It also acts as a defense against houses being destroyed by storms and waves. Hijl twigs are used as cuttings in the banks, rivers and water bodies of Haur area. The use of hazel stalks is widely used in making fish shelters. Its judi fair load in making the abhayashram.

Hijal is a medium sized evergreen tree. Height 10 to 15 meters. Scientific name of Barringtonia acutangula. It is a long-lived tree with medium-sized spreading stems. Sanskrit name Nichul. When the Hijal flowers are over, the tree bears fruit. The fruit is bitter and poisonous. Looks a lot like Haritaki. The poisonous part of Hijl is the fruit. Hijal tree is very vigorous. There are two species of the tree. Flowers are white and red. The flowers hang like a basket from the manjuri stem. The poisonous part of the plant is the raw fruit. Many stomach problems are removed by eating the seeds of the dry fruit of Hijl. The plant also has many medicinal properties.

Hijalgach has found a place in Bengali literature due to its beauty. Many poets have written poems about the beauty of the Hijal treePoet Jibanananda Das compared the shade of the hijal tree with the shape of Bengal and wrote, “Such is the blue shade of the hijal-bot-tamal of Bengal.” Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam wrote – “Hijal Bichano forest path dia/Rangaye Charan Asibe Go Priya.” The famous Hemanga Biswas mentioned in his song – “Haor pani nai re hethay, nai re fresh fish / biller buke dala mela, nai re hijalgach.”
Saiful Alam Sadrul, an environmentalist, said, “God save the house of the pusher. This gives her the push, O gives the push. No one is in the real jobEarlier, there were rows of hijal trees in the haor forest, house hut, road edge, kanda, canal, bill, nala, haor, pond and river banks. For the last few years, these trees are being cut for no reason. This plant is very valuable for bilge fish conservation. The soil for the construction of the Haor dam is taken by cutting kanda. Now there is no Kandai, how will there be trees? The forests of the Haor region are becoming barren. We need to protect the gardens. Everyone should pay attention to the environment of Haor. If there are no trees and fish in Haor, we Haor residents cannot live. For this, common people should be made aware. The administration will also have to take a tougher role.”
Bijan Sen Roy, general secretary of Haor Bachao Andolan Central Committee said, “Biodiversity of Haor region is on the verge of destruction. In Haor area, there are no more trees like before. These trees were a sanctuary for birds, wild animals and fish. There are no fish like before in Haor, birds. No. The movement of foreign birds is not like beforehas decreased completely. Howers are becoming vulnerable. There is a need to increase public awareness for afforestation in Haor area. A special afforestation program for the Haor region under government management may restore nature to its former form. Howronchal will regain its original appearance. As a result, Haor will no longer be vulnerable during monsoons. Again, there will be big fish and birds. Harmful effects of climate change can also be prevented. Moreover, safe migration and breeding grounds for freshwater fish will be created in the haors.”