Lawachara National Park in Moulvibazar houses tree species so rare that scientists have failed to propagate them despite over 10 years of research, according to long-time forest resident Hatim Khasia.

He told this in a vlog video, uploaded on January 15 from a YouTube channel named Info Hunter. The video gained 24,811 views as of now.

Forest contains a tree called ‘Giya’, one of only two specimens that existed in Asia. Other specimen was destroyed in a storm. African birds originally brought the fruit to Bangladesh, where it naturally germinated and grew, Hatim explained during a recent forest tour.

"When tested in Africa, it produced fruits similar to figs, though they never ripened fully and fell unripe. Even taking branches results in only a few leaves before the plant dies," he said, noting the tree's unique chlorophyll compounds cannot be replicated.

Hatim, who has explored Lawachara for over 63 years, said the forest named after Lawachara stream charges TK 115 entry fee to protect its exceptional biodiversity. Park previously supported Bengal tigers, bears and deer, though hunting reduced large predator populations.

Forest holds numerous medicinal trees including Chang Pichla, historically used for making coal, and Crapo, whose bark alleviates stomach pain. Dhup tree bark produces incense for religious ceremonies. About 23 Khasi community families originally lived within the Reserved Forest, maintaining harmony without overexploiting resources.

“Walking through the forest is essential to experience its richness. If you only walk along roads or cleared paths, you cannot truly see what Lawachara holds,” Hatim explained. Hidden inside dense thickets are countless rare plants, medicinal herbs and wildlife invisible from main paths.

Khasi community ancestors harvested only necessary amounts for daily life while protecting the ecosystem. Forest provided food, medicine and shelter across generations. Palm oil trees grow within the forest, though monkeys prevent collection. Deer populations continue adapting to uneven water sources throughout the park.

“This is why Lawachara contains species and ecological phenomena that are rare worldwide. It is a living laboratory of nature,” Hatim said.

Lawachara National Park in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh, features diverse tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen flora, including rare species, but specific claims from Hatim Khasia require partial verification.

No evidence found for a ‘Giya’ tree as one of Asia's only two specimens from African birds, with failed propagation and fig-like fruits. A similar video mentions Asia's ‘only chloroform tree’ (possibly a misnomer for a rare species like Chloroxylon or garjan), but scientists' over 10 years of failed research is unconfirmed.

No sources confirm irreplaceable chlorophyll preventing propagation; park has many rare trees like dipterocarps, but propagation challenges are generalized.

Hatim's account, from a channel with relevant videos gaining views, blends accurate park details with anecdotal rarities like the tree origins, which lack independent scientific backing. The Park is a biodiversity hotspot and ‘living laboratory’, but claims of ultra-rare, non-propagable trees exaggerate documented flora without formal studies. Visitors should verify via official forest department sources for current facts.