Context:
Recently, the Prime Minister of India, in 103rd edition of ‘Mann ki Baat programme highlighted the business of ‘bhojpatra calligraphy’ by the women of Mana village near Badrinath.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Bhojpatra Tree: The Himalayan Birch
- Also known as Himalayan Birch, it is abundant in the Himalayas.
- A deciduous tree native to the Western Himalayas, thriving at elevations of up to 4,500 meters.
- Possesses high freezing tolerance, enabling it to form a treeline in the Himalayan region.
- A long-lived species with a survival capacity of up to 400 years, and the dominant angiosperm at extensive sub-alpine altitudes in the Himalaya.
Distribution:
- Widely distributed in the altitudinal range of 3100 to 3800 meters in the North-western Himalaya.
Ecological Contribution:
- Plays a vital role in preserving the Himalayan ecosystem by reducing soil erosion.
- Creates a bio-shield for the remaining forests and sub-alpine meadows below the treeline.
Cultural Significance:
- The bark of the Bhojpatra Tree has been historically used for writing lengthy scriptures and texts.
- Particularly prominent in historical regions like Uttarakhand and Kashmir, where it was utilized for writings in Sanskrit and other scripts.
Source: Times of India
