Bahrain's Tree of Life

Arabian deserts are some of the hottest and driest on earth. They are so dry that it is possible to see deserts larger than Nigeria without a single plant growing. The lack of water, grazing animals, ferocious storms and the extreme heat ensure that nothing survives. However, in Bahrain, there is one particular tree that has defied all odds and has stood in the vast desert for more than 400 years! In the face of everything, it is still there till this very moment. 

Viewing it from space. 

Signpost of the Shajarat al-Hayat

Amazing!

Under its shade. 

 Appropriately named the Tree of Life (or Shajarat al-Hayat in Arabic), the tree is 32 feet tall (that's almost 10 metres) and is perched on a sandy hill. Now a magnet for tourists, it is the only tree in the vast stretch of desert. Scientists have classified it as belonging to the Prosopis genus (Prosopis cineraria). About 50,000 tourists from all over the world visit the Tree of Life which is said to be a site for various ancient practices of old religions and faiths (Hmnn...!) 

At sunset. 

On the average, trees of the same genus do not live for more than 100 years or so but this particular tree has more than exceeded the normal lifespan of a Prosopis. What is also strange about the tree is that it has no visible source of water or moisture but scientists says that trees of this type are spectacularly good at adapting themselves to ultra-dry (if there's anything like that) environments and have some of the deepest and longest roots. Mehn, to do that for more than 400 years is really really amazing! 

Always remember that for every desert, there is an oasis. Never lose hope. 

Many locals believe that the Tree of Life is the actual site of the Garden of Eden (many have actually proposed to their wives here!) The tree has strong branches, luxuriant leaves, rotund stems and looks 'well-fed'. Now, I need to know how much is the flight from Lagos to Manama ;) Let's go there!  


Credits: Omar Chatriwala, Glenn Rose (Flickr)


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