{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Centuries-Old Eucalyptus Discovered in Mount Abu Sanctuary Ranks as India's Second Thickest Tree",
  "summary": "A eucalyptus tree over 150 years old with a trunk girth of 4.55 meters in Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary has been confirmed as the country's second thickest.",
  "content": "A remarkable ecological discovery has come to light within the serene forests of the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. A massive eucalyptus tree, standing for more than a century and a half, has been officially documented in the protected sanctuary area. Forestry expert and former forest official Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma conducted an in-depth assessment of the tree after receiving word from Deputy Conservator of Forests Anil Gupta. Upon visiting the site to record its vital measurements, Dr. Sharma confirmed that the specimen is older than 150 years.\n\nDimensions and National Standing\nDetailed field measurements show that this majestic eucalyptus stands nearly 20 meters tall. When measured at breast height, the girth of the primary trunk reached an impressive 4.55 meters. A careful comparative analysis against figures listed in India's national tree records established that this specimen is the second thickest eucalyptus tree documented anywhere in the country. Notably, the difference in circumference between this Mount Abu specimen and India's thickest eucalyptus is a mere 15 centimeters.\n\nThe Legacy of India's Thickest Eucalyptus in Andhra Pradesh\nThe distinction of holding India's thickest eucalyptus tree currently belongs to Horsley Hills, situated within the Madanapalle forest range of Annamayya district in Andhra Pradesh. According to archival records, that premier tree was planted back in 1859 by W. D. Horsley, who served as the collector of the then undivided Chittoor district and after whom the hill station was eventually named. Acknowledging its monumental stature, the central government formally designated it as the nation's largest eucalyptus tree in 1995 and conferred the prestigious Mahavriksha Puraskar upon it.\n\nUnique Growth Structure and Colonial Heritage\nThe structural characteristics of the newly highlighted Mount Abu giant are equally distinctive. According to Dr. Sharma, the central trunk remains completely clean of any side branches up to a height of about three meters from the forest floor. Beyond that level, the trunk bifurcates into multiple massive limbs that spread out into an expansive canopy. During the British colonial era, extensive plantations of exotic flora, including eucalyptus and bamboo varieties, were introduced across Mount Abu alongside native medicinal species. Over decades, these saplings flourished into towering giants, and the healthy survival of this particular specimen highlights the unique microclimate and forest vitality of the hill station.\n\nConservation Strategy and Eco-Tourism Potential\nFollowing its validation against national big tree registries, this eucalyptus is poised to gain widespread recognition far beyond the borders of Rajasthan. Local forest authorities are currently outlining steps to safeguard the tree and institute appropriate conservation measures. Plans are underway to establish informative interpretive signage around the site so that ecotourists, nature lovers, and travelers visiting Mount Abu can appreciate this living monument of India's natural and historical heritage.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis discovery adds a major natural attraction to eco-tourism circuits and provides fresh momentum for heritage conservation.\n\n• In Rajasthan: Visitors traveling to the Mount Abu wildlife sanctuary will soon have guided access to this 150-year-old living monument. The forest department is preparing informational displays and protective barricades to facilitate safe public viewing.\n• Across India: Botanists and environmental researchers gain a prominent reference point to evaluate long-term colonial-era afforestation and regional adaptability. Nature travelers can now connect historical tree trails spanning from Horsley Hills in southern India to the Aravali range in western India.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe tree was formally identified following a field inspection initiated by regional forestry officials and confirmed through scientific measurement.\n\n• Alert from Forest Officials: Deputy Conservator of Forests Anil Gupta alerted veteran forestry expert Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma regarding an exceptionally massive trunk observed inside the sanctuary. Dr. Sharma conducted an on-site survey to record the exact circumference, height, and branching structure.\n• Colonial Plantation Legacy: During British rule, non-native timber and shade trees such as eucalyptus and bamboo were introduced extensively across the hill station. The favorable microclimate of Mount Abu provided ideal ecological conditions that permitted this specimen to flourish uninterrupted for over 150 years.\n• Verification Against National Databases: The physical measurements were compared with historical data from the national Mahavriksha registry, establishing that its girth is second only to the 1859 specimen located in Andhra Pradesh.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What is the measured trunk girth of the Mount Abu eucalyptus tree?\nThe circumference of the tree measured at chest height is 4.55 meters.\n\n2. What national record does this tree hold?\nBased on national forest registry records, it is officially the second thickest eucalyptus tree in India.\n\n3. Where is the thickest eucalyptus tree in India located?\nThe country's thickest eucalyptus is situated at Horsley Hills in the Annamayya district of Andhra Pradesh, planted in 1859.\n\n4. What are the estimated age and height of this Mount Abu tree?\nExperts estimate the tree to be over 150 years old, with a total height of approximately 20 meters.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/bihar/mount-abu-ke-abhayaranya-men-mila-derha-sadi-purana-sapheda-desha-ka-dusara-sabase-mota-nilagiri-vriksha-darja-31440",
  "category": "Bihar",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-12",
  "tags": [
    "Mount Abu",
    "Eucalyptus Tree",
    "Nilgiri",
    "Mahavriksha",
    "Rajasthan Forest Department",
    "Wildlife Sanctuary",
    "Horsley Hills"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}