150-Year-Old Botanical Wonder: Mount Abu Enjoys National Fame as Home to India’s Second Thickest Eucalyptus Tree

Rajasthan’s rich and diverse forest wealth has achieved prestigious national recognition with the botanical discovery of a magnificent, century-and-a-half-old eucalyptus tree. Planted during the British colonial era within the scenic Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, this towering landmark has officially been verified as the second thickest eucalyptus tree in the entire country. The remarkable discovery and verification were successfully concluded by Udaipur-based forest expert and former forest officer Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma, who conducted thorough on-site research and cross-referenced the tree's metrics with official national forestry records.Scientific Findings and Measurements Compared With India's Thickest TreeFollowing initial reports shared by Anil Gupta, Deputy Conservator of Forests at the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr. Sharma examined the colossal specimen. Standing at an impressive height of approximately 20 meters, the eucalyptus tree boasts a massive trunk circumference of 4.55 meters measured at chest height. For perspective, the reigning national record-holder located in Andhra Pradesh measures 4.70 meters in circumference, leaving a razor-thin difference of just 15 centimeters between the two arboreal giants. Dr. Sharma noted that the Abu tree's trunk remains completely branchless for the first three meters before magnificently splitting into numerous sprawling branches.Historical Significance and Conservation Efforts by the Forest DepartmentHistorical records indicate that India's thickest recorded eucalyptus—a Eucalyptus grandis specimen on Horsley Hill in Andhra Pradesh—was originally planted in 1859 by W.H. Horsley, the then-collector of Chittoor district, and was honored with the prestigious Mahavriksha Award by the Government of India in 1995. Forestry experts emphasize that such ancient specimens serve as living historical documents of a region's natural evolution. Recognizing its ecological and heritage value, the local Forest Department is now proactively preparing to install dedicated informational boards and protective fencing to preserve and showcase this natural marvel for future generations.