India Mango Man Haji Kalimullah Khan, who began growing mangoes in class 7, now cultivates 1600 varieties on his distinctive mango farm in Uttar Pradesh.

Haji Kalimullah Khan, a Lucknow native, fondly recalls playing hide and seek around his ancestors mango trees as a child. His deep love for mangoes led him to cultivate over 1,600 varieties on his eight-acre farm. At 82, he remembers planting his first mango tree in class 7 and later using grafting techniques to create seven varieties from a single tree.

Every day, 82-year-old Kaleem Ullah Khan of India rises at dawn, prays, and walks a mile to visit his 120-year-old mango tree, which he has nurtured to produce over 300 varieties of the cherished fruit throughout the years.

His steps grow faster as he approaches, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Peering closely through his spectacles, he gently touches the leaves and smells the fruits, checking for ripeness.

Khans work stands out for several reasons, one of which is his dedication to preserving the traditional techniques of mango grafting while embracing innovation. His ability to blend the old with the new has allowed him to create mango varieties that are not only unique but also resilient to the effects of changing weather patterns. This approach ensures that future generations will continue to enjoy the diverse and delicious flavors of Indian mangoes, as they adapt to evolving environmental conditions.

Remarkably, this octogenarian has named some of his mango varieties after famous personalities, including cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

One of the earliest varieties Khan named Aishwarya after Bollywood star and 1994 Miss World winner Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. To this day, it remains one of his best creations. Another variety is Anarkali, named after the pomegranate blossom. This unique mango has two layers of different skins and two distinct pulps, each with its own unique aroma.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to horticulture and his efforts to preserve and expand mango varieties, Khan was honored with the Padma Shri in 2008.

For me, growing mangoes, a fruit so beloved, is a sacred act, he shared. The joy I feel every time someone enjoys a sweet, ripe mango is unmatched. My goal is to spread happiness and sweetness in the world, and what better way to do so than with mangoes.

Each day, Khan follows his routine of walking down to his towering 30-foot mango tree with its sprawling branches. He refers to it as his orchard and the biggest mango college in the world.

The Tree of Dreams stands as a living legacy of Khans lifelong work, now a century old. It symbolizes hope, resilience, and the boundless possibilities nature offers, often leaving visitors in awe. Khan holds this tree in deep reverence, calling it the Tree of Dreams for good reason. It embodies the journey of a young child whose dreams have blossomed into the remarkable achievements of one of the worlds most renowned horticulturists.

Khan has also been invited to Iran and the United Arab Emirates in recognition of his remarkable work.

I can grow mangoes even in a desert, he says.

India is the largest producer of mangoes, contributing to half of the global output. Malihabad, located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, boasts over 30,000 hectares of orchards and accounts for nearly 25% of Indias mango production.

Farmers are increasingly concerned about climate change, with a heatwave this year destroying 90 percent of the local mango crop, according to the All-India Mango Growers Association. The number of mango varieties has also declined, a trend that Khan attributes to intensive farming practices and the widespread use of cheap fertilizers and insecticides.

Khan remarkable journey with mangoes has cultivated more than just a variety of fruits, it has created a lasting legacy. Through his dedication to preserving traditional grafting techniques while embracing innovation, he has contributed to the preservation of Indias rich mango heritage.

Edited by Gayathri