Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Aug 3: Three members of a single family from Panjikallu village near here fell ill after consuming traditional drink made by using Paale tree bark on Tuesday August 2. It is believed that they had made a mistake in identifying the tree when extracting bark for the drink.

Vasanth Poojary (48) from Keldodi in Panjikallu, and his daughters, Ashwitha (17) and Anwitha (15) fell ill after consuming the concoction on the occasion of Aati Amavasya.

It is said that Vasanth's wife, Pushpa, had brought bark of another tree, known in the local parlance as 'Kanapaale', instead of Paale tree on Tuesday morning. She had prepared drink from this bark in traditional way. Her husband and two children began to vomit uncontrollably after consuming the drink. They were taken to a private hospital in Thumbay where they are showing signs of recovery.

Police inspector of rural police station here, Rakshit Gowda, visited the hospital and obtained details from the three sick persons. Dr Kiran of the hospital said that the three patients are being treated for toxic side affects of the tree bark. He said that the affect would have been disastrous if the tree had substances which are poisonous.