The 'Dudhiya Malda' of Digha, one of the best mangoes of the 'Langra' variety, is on the verge of extinction with less than 1,000 trees remaining. With its thin skin, small seed, less fibre, milking yellow pulp and a unique sweet aroma, the Dudhiya Malda was considered among the best by connoisseurs. "When multistorey buildings started coming up, the Dudhiya Malda trees began disappearing," Fr Robert Athickal, founder and director of Digha-based Tarumitra, a nationwide students' organisation, told DNA. The reason behind it, and his theory is supported by botanists and scientists in the city, is that nature is rejecting monoculture. "Studies show that the Digha Malda trees came into existence about a hundred years ago and were the only trees planted in the area," he said.

Source: dna July 14, 2017 01:52 UTC