The fallen Kalpavriksha in Doranda. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Aug. 27: Kalpavriksha, the mythological tree uprooted for the second time in nine months in Doranda recently, has little life left to stand on its own, feel forest officials.

The forest officials have ruled out the possibility of getting the rare tree — over 300 years old — back to life. Thus, the number of the tree of religious and mythological importance in the city has come down to three from four.

“The Kalpavriksha, which was uprooted yet again, has lived its life and efforts to bring it back to life would be futile,” said Y.K. Das, the divisional forest officer of Ranchi East.

The tree had earlier collapsed for the first time about nine months ago. The forest department had then decided to replant the huge tree at the same place where it stood for centuries. “As we saw that some roots of the huge Kalpavriksha were still present, we had dug a pit and planted it back. But this time, the rehabilitation of the tree yet again may not be possible,” said Paritosh Upadhyay, the former divisional forest officer of Ranchi East, who carried out the replanting exercise.

Miraculously enough, the tree had got some roots and developed some leaves as well. But due to heavy rains during the last couple of weeks, the roots could not hold the heavy weight of Kalpavriksha, making it collapse yet once again.

Das said the tree was not able to get fresh energy, as it had no roots left. “The new leaves are developing due to the energy which had been stored in the body of the tree. But as this energy would end some day, the leaves would dry up slowly,” Das added.

The forest department thinks that if it takes another chance to rehabilitate the tree at the same place where it stood for years, the rootless tree may become security hazard for vehicles that ply on the road.

According to mythological belief, whosoever prayed for anything standing under the Kalpavriksha, got his wish fulfilled sooner or later in life.

Even forest officials accept that Kalpavriksha is a rare species, though they believe that the tree would be available in the forest of Jharkhand. “We may have some Kalpavrikshas in the forests of Saranda,” said Kali Kinker, the divisional forest officer (Ranchi social forestry).