Forgotten ‘Black Gold’: Historian urges revival of Carob tree
Shatrughan Kumar Pandey
Hazaribagh
As World Environment Day sparks discussions on climate change, groundwater depletion and sustainable agriculture, a historian from Hazaribagh has called for the revival of the Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), a species once regarded as Jharkhand’s “Black Gold” for its remarkable ecological and economic value.
Dr. Shatrughn Kumar Pandey, a historian at St. Columba’s College, Hazaribagh, said archival records reveal that the tree was successfully cultivated in the district nearly 145 years ago. A report issued in December 1881 by Bengal’s Inspector General of Prisons, A.S. Lethbridge, noted that Hazaribagh’s soil was well suited for Carob cultivation. Earlier that month, Hazaribagh Jail Superintendent A.D. Larrimore reported that every Carob seed planted in the area had germinated successfully.
Recognising its potential, the colonial administration expanded plantation efforts. In 1882, the Bengal government approved cultivation of the tree on ten acres of prison land in Hazaribagh and planned to extend it to other regions after similar experiments elsewhere in India yielded limited success.
According to Dr. Pandey, Carob was valued not only for its agricultural benefits but also for its economic significance. The word “carat,” used to measure the weight of gemstones, is derived from the tree’s seeds, whose uniform weight made them a standard unit for jewellers. Historical records estimated the value of Carob pods at Rs 10,000 per tonne in 1881, making it a highly prized crop.
The historian said the tree is particularly relevant today because of its ability to thrive in dry, rocky and barren land with minimal water and maintenance. Its deep roots help conserve soil and water, while its nutritious pods can serve as food and livestock fodder during times of scarcity.
Modern studies have also highlighted Carob’s health benefits. Rich in nutrients and naturally free from caffeine and theobromine, it is increasingly recognised as a healthy food alternative. Its seeds are used to produce locust bean gum, an ingredient widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
However, rapid urbanisation and lack of awareness have pushed the tree towards near-extinction in Hazaribagh. Only a few old specimens remain in institutional campuses and former government compounds.
Dr. Pandey urged authorities and environmental groups to include Carob in afforestation and ecological restoration programmes, saying its revival could strengthen climate resilience, support rural livelihoods and preserve an important part of Jharkhand’s environmental heritage.
