Endangered Khudi Khejur found in Dinajpur’s Sal forest

A rare botanical treasure has been rediscovered in Dinajpur, as the critically endangered Khudi Khejur—also known as wild date palm—has been found thriving in the Sal forests of Birol upazila. Scientifically known as Phoenix acaulis, the species has only been identified in this particular Sal forest tract, making its conservation all the more urgent.

Forest officials have located between 150 and 200 plants of the Khudi Khejur in the Kaliaganj section under the Dharmapur forest beat, with about 20 to 30 of them already bearing fruit. The plant, a dwarf, trunkless palm with spiny, narrow leaves, produces small fruits that transition from red to a deep blackish-purple as they ripen. The sweet, jam-like fruits mature during Baishakh and Jaistha, adding a unique seasonal charm to the forest ecosystem.

Professor Gazi Mosharraf Hossain of Jahangirnagar University’s botany department, who has been studying the plant since first encountering it in 2013, explained that Phoenix acaulis thrives only in Sal forests, environments to which it is specifically adapted. While other wild date palm species like Phoenix loureiroi are found in Sal-rich areas like Madhupur and Sherpur, the Khudi Khejur appears to be unique to Birol.

The rediscovery follows a nationwide assessment of 1,000 naturally growing plant species, initiated by the Bangladesh National Herbarium under the Forest Department’s Sufol Project. Conducted in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the assessment led to the listing of five critically endangered species in 2023-including the Khudi Khejur.

As part of its biodiversity protection strategy, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is now focusing on the conservation of these rare plants. Anwar Hossain, Dinajpur‍‍`s divisional forest officer, confirmed that the department has started identifying and marking the Khudi Khejur locations and is taking steps to preserve them.

This rediscovery offers a rare glimmer of hope in the fight to protect Bangladesh’s diminishing native flora. With sustained efforts, conservationists hope the Khudi Khejur can be preserved for future generations, not only as a symbol of biodiversity but also as a reminder of the ecological uniqueness of the country’s Sal forests.