Book Review: The Trees of My Country

Notes

• T.R. Shankar Raman's 'The Trees of My Country' documents 50 native Indian tree species, emphasizing their ecological, cultural, and livelihood significance.
• Nicobariodendron sleumeri is a rare tree species endemic to the Great Nicobar Island, currently threatened by a proposed ₹81,800-crore infrastructure project.
• The book highlights the role of indigenous communities, such as the Shompen and Nicobarese, in maintaining traditional knowledge of local flora.
• Trees serve as critical ecological hubs, supporting biodiversity (e.g., birds, reptiles, insects) and acting as historical markers of landscapes.
• The Salix (willow) species in Kashmir demonstrate the intersection of ecology and human economy, serving as sources for fodder, basketry, and the cricket bat industry.
• The text underscores the challenge of documenting botanical diversity due to the plurality of local names and the lack of systematic study for rare species.

Part of a longer story

This is day 4 of 7 in Great Nicobar Infrastructure Development Project, which has been running since 25 June 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

• Great Nicobar Island Project controversy Before
• Great Nicobar Island infrastructure project After
• The whole story 7 entries