Notwithstanding the rampant illicit distilled (ID) liquor dens thriving in rural parts of Warangal, the Indian Sago palm (Caryota Urens Linn or Girika Tallu in Telugu), a garden tree belonging to the palm family, has become sought-after for the sweet toddy it yields.
The tree, growing sometimes to a height of 25 metres, is found only near Pakhal Lake in Khanapur mandal, a popular tourist destination in Warangal, where 80 odd trees of Indian Sago palm stand in a cluster on the lower side of the Lake. These trees are taken great care of by the toddy tappers’ community by paying high amount of licence fees to the excise department as they get steady customers for the sweet toddy, which offers lucrative business for them in December-March every year.
In a day, the trees are said to produce 100-200 bottles of sweet toddy during December-March season, which is sold at a premium. While botanists term its sweet toddy to be an aphrodisiac and rich in vitamins besides acting as a tonic for sexual weakness as mentioned in books dealing with Economic Botany, the locals regard it as a ‘divine drink’ (Sura Panakam).
The sweet toddy, popularly known here as girika tadu, is said to be sweeter than the wild date trees (Phonenix Sylvestris or Eta in Telugu) or conventional toddy palm (Borassus Slabelliser).
For the ‘divine’ nature attached to Indian Sago palm, the toddy tappers keep the surroundings of the trees clean and also take a ritual bath before climbing the tree, said sources.
However, Dr Mohd Mustafa, a botanist and expert on plant species, said that the tree is not native to India. “It was introduced in India from Sri Lanka or Myanmar, where they grow abundantly,” said Dr Mustafa, adding that the tree is grown for beautification in parks. Besides its sweet toddy, the tree is said to yield a valuable fibre known as ‘Kittool’ in Sri Lanka and a special type of ‘Palm sugar’. “We need further research on its toddy, which is also found to be helpful for TB patients,” added Dr Mustafa, while quoting Kochhar’s book on Economic Botany.
