More than two centuries old historic Shidam tree at Kudashe

In kudashe, a village of Dodamarg taluka on the border of Maharashtra- Goa, on the left bank of the Colval river stands a tall towering Shidam tree having witness to more than two centuries history, lies in the most neglected condition.

Shidam (Tetrameles nudiflora) is a large deciduous tree found across Southern Asia from India to south east Asia and northern Australia. It grows almost to the height of 45mts with trunk spread over 10 metres. However, Shidam tree in Kudashe is much larger in size and height than those found usually and hence is has been considered to be the wonder of the nature by the local villagers who since many generations have guarded it by considering it as sacred and the abode of the Holy Spirit.

Sakharam Babu Kharat, 72 years of age who bring his goats for grazing every day in cool shade of the trees says, "Our four generations have been associated with this Shidam. For us this wonder of the mother nature is the most profane".

Paulo Fernandez 60 years of age from Kudashe told, "This tree might have completed 400 years as per the local belief and traditions. As it is very near to our cemetery, I am witnessing it and feel happy in its shade since the childhood to this date".

Malhar Indulkar, a wildlifer who is studying Otters found in the vicinity of the Colval river said, "This Shidam is very huge and has been supporting 10 more trees on its trunk. The tree is just like a bio-island as numerous wild animals and birds take shelter in its hollow spaces and it too nourishes numerous insects.

Narayan Laxman Palyekar, 68 years of age remembers that in the past people used to pay respect to the tree and the Holy Spirit residing on it while crossing the river through the country canoes from Bharpali to Kudashe.

Early in the morning the tree welcomes the villagers through the melodious songs of variety of birds. Earlier tree was providing the natural honey to the villagers as it was having huge honey combs on it. It is also the nesting site for the Malabar Pied Hornbill during the breeding season. However today, a massive sand and pebbles mining and ongoing work of the new bridge construction have posed threat to this old tree. 

Subodh Naik, a wildlifer says, "It is very difficult to measure the girth of this tree. However, when 3-4 members made attempts, it has indicated that the girth of the tree is more than 12 meters in the length and its height is more than 50 meters. There is need to declare this tree as the natural heritage site under the Biodiversity Act 2002."