This ‘laughing’ tree in Kaladhungi forest attracts tourists, intrigues researchers

This ‘laughing’ tree in Kaladhungi forest attracts tourists, intrigues researchers

Mangalore Today News Network

Uttarakhand, April 12, 2014: A tree in Kaladhungi forest in Nainital district has become a major attraction for tourists owing to its unusual behaviour on being touched, tickled or caressed.

Where locals on the one hand claimed "tree laughs when its tickled" and have as a result named it the ’laughing tree’, the Forest Department holds no official information about it, reported Dehradun Amarujala.

 

Meanwhile, the Chief of Forest Conservation, SK Singh agreed with the locals. He confirmed that the tree reportedly moves it branches when a person caresses and tickles its trunk, however, he refrained from using the word ’laugh’.

The unusual behaviour of this tree has not only left tourists, locals and the administration amazed, it has even caught the attention of a few researchers.

" I have heard about these trees. Their botanical name is Randia dumetorum. It is quite intriguing to see that they respond to a tickle sensation differently from others. We will research on the topic to establish reasons for such behaviour," said Lalit Tiwari, Professor of Botany, Kumaon University in Nainital.

It’s not the only such tree in Kaladhungi forest. There’s another one here and there is one more in Ramnagar’s Kyari forest. Usually, they are found at a height of 300 to 1300 metres.

Looking at the unique attribute, Corbett Village Development Committee has connected the two trees to tourism. It appointed guides four years ago, who till date, take tourists to the forest to show them ’the laughing trees’.