‘Tree quest’ sprouts hope for India’s green history | Hyderabad News
This January, Hyderabad-based VATA Foundation is setting out on a unique journey — to visit some of India’s ancient trees with fascinating back stories. Over a period of four months, Uday Krishna, founder of the NGO, will track down 125 of the oldest, most intriguing trees as part of his ‘Big Tree Quest’. His objective: To draw attention to these heritage greens so that they are protected.
Guardians of green
His pan-India voyage covering over 30,000 km begins on January 23.Recently, when TOI accompanied Krishna on the Hyderabad leg of his journey, it made two pit stops -first at a 200-year-old tamarind tree nestled within Osmania General Hospital premises along the Musi River in Afzalgunj and the second at a baobab tree inside Naya Qila of the Golkonda Fort. “This tree saved the lives of 150 people in the great Musi flood of 1908,” read a board hanging from the centuriesold tree. “The Deccan region experienced 27 inches of rainfall. In six hours, over 1,500 people lost their lives. However, this tamarind tree saved the lives of those who took shelter here,” said Krishna.
Forgotten treasures
In another part of the city the 500-year-old baobab tree within Naya Qila has a similar story of resilience. With a circumference of 25 metres and a room within its trunk that’s capable of accommodating 30 people, it offered asylum to many during an attack on the fort. “In the early 1900s, around 20 people sought refuge inside the tree,” said Suchir Peddireddi, trustee of VATA. A peek inside showed a dark room with stems growing out of gaps of the trunk. “The platform-like structure hints at it being used as a makeshift cooking place during war,” added Peddireddi. According to Krishna, the tree is of an African species, gifted by traders to the Nizam. However, the board at the tree says that it was planted by wandering friars during their stay at Golkonda. Krishna said: “Through this journey, I want to ensure that these living witnesses to the past are brought into the public eye.”
Telangana’s oldest Pillalamarri
Mahabubnagar is home to Pillalamarri Telangana’s oldest trees. Just four km from town, this ancient banyan is like a green wonderland. Picture a massive umbrella, so big it can easily shelter a thousand people. This banyan is like a wise old storyteller standing for 800 years. Locals say that the tree is so vast, it’s like a green hill from far away. “These trees are Telangana’s oldest and biggest trees, that very few people know of. I chose Pillalamarri, because I wanted to show how a banyan tree’s life can be infinite, it keeps growing, if proper care is taken,” said Uday Krishna.
Guardians of green
His pan-India voyage covering over 30,000 km begins on January 23.Recently, when TOI accompanied Krishna on the Hyderabad leg of his journey, it made two pit stops -first at a 200-year-old tamarind tree nestled within Osmania General Hospital premises along the Musi River in Afzalgunj and the second at a baobab tree inside Naya Qila of the Golkonda Fort. “This tree saved the lives of 150 people in the great Musi flood of 1908,” read a board hanging from the centuriesold tree. “The Deccan region experienced 27 inches of rainfall. In six hours, over 1,500 people lost their lives. However, this tamarind tree saved the lives of those who took shelter here,” said Krishna.
Forgotten treasures
In another part of the city the 500-year-old baobab tree within Naya Qila has a similar story of resilience. With a circumference of 25 metres and a room within its trunk that’s capable of accommodating 30 people, it offered asylum to many during an attack on the fort. “In the early 1900s, around 20 people sought refuge inside the tree,” said Suchir Peddireddi, trustee of VATA. A peek inside showed a dark room with stems growing out of gaps of the trunk. “The platform-like structure hints at it being used as a makeshift cooking place during war,” added Peddireddi. According to Krishna, the tree is of an African species, gifted by traders to the Nizam. However, the board at the tree says that it was planted by wandering friars during their stay at Golkonda. Krishna said: “Through this journey, I want to ensure that these living witnesses to the past are brought into the public eye.”
Telangana’s oldest Pillalamarri
Mahabubnagar is home to Pillalamarri Telangana’s oldest trees. Just four km from town, this ancient banyan is like a green wonderland. Picture a massive umbrella, so big it can easily shelter a thousand people. This banyan is like a wise old storyteller standing for 800 years. Locals say that the tree is so vast, it’s like a green hill from far away. “These trees are Telangana’s oldest and biggest trees, that very few people know of. I chose Pillalamarri, because I wanted to show how a banyan tree’s life can be infinite, it keeps growing, if proper care is taken,” said Uday Krishna.