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TIRUPATI, INDIA, March 5, 2003: Simarouba (Simarouba Glauca), also known as the “Paradise tree,” a native of El Salvador, Central America, was first introduced in Amravati, Maharashtra, in 1966. Syamasundar Joshi, a scientist in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, who has studied the tree, believes apart from edible purposes, it could be a promising ingredient in the manufacture of soaps, lubricants, paints, polishes and pharmaceuticals. Not only the seed, but every part of the tree is useful in some way. The oil cake makes a valuable organic manure as it is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potash. The shells form the raw material for the hardboard industry. The fruit pulp can be used in the beverage and fermentation industry as it contains 11 percent sugar. The leaf and bark contains simarubin, a chemical used in curing diarrhea and malaria. The insect-resistant wood is okay for light furniture industry, toys, packing material, paper pulp and matches. The Forest Department’s Biotechnology Research Center (Biotrim) at Tirupati has been growing the tree for the last six years on a demonstration plot, without actually knowing its potential. Given the perennial drought in the State and that the tree requires no maintenance, it is believed it offers great potential for farmers.

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