Asansol’s Namesake Tree: The city of Asansol, a name derived from the once-abundant ‘Asan’ tree, is witnessing a remarkable effort to bring its namesake back from the brink of extinction. Banwarilal Bhalotia (BB) College in Asansol has spearheaded an initiative to reintroduce the ‘Asan’ tree, a species that has largely vanished from the region it helped name.
The very first lines of a song about Asansol lament, “No ‘Asan’ tree wetland, my birthplace is barren… yet Nakori-Ramkrishna Roy are above us.” This poignant verse, along with various poems and historical records, consistently highlights the ‘Asan’ tree’s significance. The name “Asansol” itself is a combination of “Asan” and “Sol,” with “Sol” meaning soil or land, essentially signifying “the land where plenty of ‘Asan’ trees are found.”
Yet, incredibly, the tree that lends its name to an entire city is now a rarity. Only a handful are known to exist within Asansol. Recognizing this stark reality, BB College has embarked on an innovative project. The Botany Department and NSS (National Service Scheme) students of BB College have painstakingly cultivated five thousand ‘Asan’ saplings, which are now ready to be planted across various parts of Asansol.
A Brief History of Asansol and the Vanishing Tree
Folklore suggests that Nakori Roy and Ramkrishna Roy, a father-in-law and son-in-law of the Ugra Kshatriya community, cleared an ‘Asan’ tree forest to establish their settlement, naming it ‘Asansol Gram.’ While their descendants still inhabit a large part of the region, historians and researchers point to evidence of far older settlements in the Asansol area predating ‘Asansol Gram,’ making it uncertain if the entire region was named after this specific village.
The city’s modern development began with the discovery of coal in Narayankuri village, Raniganj. Prince Dwarkanath Tagore’s efforts initiated coal extraction, leading to the construction of the first railway line to Raniganj for coal transportation. This railway eventually extended to Asansol, where the East India Railway Company established a division. The arrival of the railway transformed Asansol into a civic hub, attracting British railway employees, Armenians, and other traders, thereby fostering modern urban life.
Concurrently, the establishment of the steel industry in Burnpur and Kulti, spearheaded by Sir Rajendranath Mookerjee and Birendranath Mookerjee, further propelled Asansol’s industrial growth, making it a major subdivision. This dual development—railways and industry—resulted in extensive deforestation. Additionally, a large influx of people seeking employment led to the creation of numerous new villages, further encroaching upon forests. Consequently, the ‘Asan’ tree gradually disappeared from Asansol.
‘Asan’ or ‘Ason’? Settling the Debate
There has been considerable debate regarding the tree’s actual name, with some arguing for ‘Ason’ and suggesting that the British anglicized the pronunciation to ‘Asan.’ Proponents of ‘Ason’ cite place names like ‘Asonboni’ and ‘Asonbon’ in Asansol as examples. However, botanists have clarified that ‘Ason’ and ‘Asan’ are entirely distinct trees. The ‘Ason’ tree is considered an Ayurvedic plant that secretes sap and is primarily found in central and south India. The ‘Asan’ tree, on the other hand, is a sturdy, non-sap-secreting timber tree, a species of Sal, primarily used for furniture. Experts confirm that the tree once prevalent in Asansol was indeed this Sal-like ‘Asan’ species.
Why Did This Tree Disappear?
Despite lending its name to the city, the ‘Asan’ tree is now conspicuously absent. Only one specimen exists at Asansol BB College, and another has been identified at Asansol Girls’ College. A thorough search across the city reveals no other ‘Asan’ trees, a perplexing situation for a city named after it.
Experts attribute this disappearance to several factors. The establishment of the industrial belt led to widespread deforestation. Furthermore, the burgeoning urban sprawl, with houses and concrete structures replacing natural habitats, has contributed significantly to the loss of forests. In essence, modern civilization is largely responsible for the tree’s demise.
Crucially, experts also highlight the tree’s low germination rate. Dr. Animesh Mondal, Professor of Botany at Asansol BB College, explains, “The germination rate of the Asan tree is less than 50%. This is a key reason why this tree has disappeared, as its seeds do not germinate effectively. Out of the seeds we brought from Bankura, we were able to achieve germination in only about 40%.”
The Principal of Asansol BB College, Amitabh Basu, told ETV Bharat, “The naming of Asansol originated from the Asan tree, yet there’s no trace of it in the city now. We have one tree in our college, and that inspired us to think about growing Asan tree saplings. Our Botany Department and students have worked incredibly hard to produce five thousand Asan saplings. We plan to distribute these saplings to various NGOs involved in tree care and planting, as well as to any enthusiastic individuals or organizations willing to plant and care for them.”
Dr. Animesh Mondal further stated, “We couldn’t find Asan tree seeds in Asansol, so we had to procure them from Bankura. Our Botany Department and NSS students put in immense effort to achieve germination from these seeds, as their germination rate is very low. We only managed to germinate about 40% of the seeds to produce saplings. However, we aim to produce even more saplings in the future. We want the entire city to be filled with these trees, to become green and be identified by its namesake tree.”
Sukumal Dey of the NSS department at Asansol BB College shared, “The students were incredibly enthusiastic about growing these tree saplings. They patiently soaked the seeds, carefully facilitated germination, and nurtured them into small saplings. Since the city’s name comes from this tree, the students were also very curious about what the tree looks like. With the help of teachers and experts, they were able to grow these saplings with their own hands.”
The collaborative effort by BB College offers a glimmer of hope for the ‘Asan’ tree’s resurgence in Asansol, reconnecting the city with its historical and natural roots.
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