Sunday, June 11, 2000		Article

The lone “Tree of life”
By G.K. Sharma

IN my travels covering over 60 countries, spanning almost four decades, I have not come across such a unique landmark as the "Tree of Life" Standing in the barren desert in the charming Island of Bahrain. An archipelago of 33 islands in the heart of the Arabian Gulf Bharain is just 25 kms off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

The "Tree of Life" or Sharajat-al-Hayat, as the Arabs call it, leaves the visitors in awe as they see this lone tree surrounded by sand dunes. This large tree (the size of a big banyan tree in India), with its solid trunk, stout branches and luxuriant green leaves is a mystery to one and all, stands majestically. It stands on top of a 25-foot-high sandy hillock surrounded by the desert. The tree’s desolateness is heightened by a sand dune known as ‘Jebel Dukhan’ (smoking hill-since dormant), a few kilometres away. The tree has continued growing-despite the extremities of the climate. At present it is 32 feet in height.

The tree’s source of water is another mystery. Botanists may say that its roots go very deep and wide to fetch water from the reserves of sweet springs (underground or offshore) kilometers away. Do you believe that? I am rather inclined to go with the Bedouin belief that Enki, the mythical God of water, had showered its blessing... and greenery on the Tree. It is Nature’s gift to Bahrain.

How has it survived five old centuries in desert loneliness — despite heat, drought, dust storms and grazing animals? And atrocities of marauders scrawling graffiti on its trunk and branches, scribbling names and dates of their visits. Further, your heart sinks when you learn that this lonely sentinel was, in the past used as observation post by agents of the state, to detect movements of dacoits and looters approaching the city !

And yet , the "Tree" has survived and prospered in growth and greenery. By God’s grace, I suppose! Further damage by humans or animals or ever-increasing vehicular pollution should stop by strict laws. And let there be signs and marked tracks to guide the visitors to reach this rare bounty of nature. Vehicles must halt quite a distance away.

According to one theory of some scientists who have studied the rings on the trunk of "Tree" (a tough, ancient acacia), They say it is over 1500 years old. Almost declaring it as the best preserved heritage of the 5000 years old land of "Dilmun" (meaning noble) which was ancient name of Bahrain.

In the Epic of Gilgamesh (2500 BC) — one of the oldest epic poems in the world, "Dilmun" is described as a land where: "The raven does not croak, the lion does not kill, and the wolf does not carry away the goat.... there are no widows and there is no sickness, no old age and no lamentation."

Thus. "Tree of Life" does support and testify this poem that ‘Dilmun’ (Bahrain) was the legendary land of fresh water and immortality. Only if this green environmental symbol is saved and protected from vandalism.