Research

Old Trees Campaign

Old trees are like elderly people at home, experienced, wise, caring for the young. They also are keepers of time!

One would have seen roads lined with old growth Banyan and Peepal trees, creating tunnel-like effect, or the Pinkish carpet of the fallen Silk Cotton flowers on the roadside, or a Jamun or a Tamarind whose fruits have been feasted upon by generations. Some of these trees were planted by different Kings, more than a century back, as places of retreat for passers by. 

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Apart from shade, they also provide much needed nutrition to fauna including humans in the form of fruits, flowers, and nectar. A variety of bird species like Green Pigeon, Rosy Starling, Hornbill, use these trees as corridors for travel, some visit the trees according to their natural rhythm of fruiting or for shelter. 

The tree species change with the region in the country. Banyan is most common throughout India followed by Neem, Mango, Babul and Tamarind in the low and medium rainfall zones. Silk cotton tree, Pipar, Mango, Jamun, Ain are observed in Maharashtra, mainly in higher rainfall areas like Ghats and coasts. 

One would have also seen and experienced old growth native trees in wilderness, in sacred groves, in forests, on farm bunds, near settlements where people connect and spend time together. Some of these trees are still part of the wilderness while some are lone remnants of grandeur of forests gone by! We need to conserve them !!

Unfortunately all these trees are razed down in road widening or other land use change. Very little effort is made from road proponents to accommodate these tree lines. This campaign is to create awareness in society. For any informed decision, availability of good data is the first step. We wish to take this step with the help of aware citizens, experts, groups & organizations. 

Do fill in information namely the tree name, its circumference, location, photo etc. in this form to document species near you. This information will be open for all to view. 

#gianttrees #heritagetrees #oldgrowthtrees #citizenscience

#oikos_pune #AdhiwasFoundation