NASHIK: A decision to protect and nurture trees aged 50 years and above in urban areas of the state has been taken at a recent cabinet meeting. However, even last year, the Department of Social Forestry had started a survey for long-lived trees to restore the status of Mahavrikshas or heritage trees in the non-forest areas of the state.
Surprisingly, Only four such trees have been found in Nashik district. Trees are of paramount importance in Indian culture. The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden in Kolkata is protecting a banyan tree that is more than three hundred years old. Similarly, in September 2020, by the order of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of the Department of Social Forestry, information has been compiled about the old and wide hundreds of rich trees like Chinch, Mango, Pipal, Sag, Jambul, Arjuna, Moha in the non-forest area.
The search, which lasted more than six months, found only four trees. These include Vatvriksha or banyan tree with a 25 meter high and 925 cm fence near the ancient Mhasoba temple at Untwadi in Nashik city and a neem tree with a 35 meter high and 450 cm fence near the Mahadev temple at Someshwar.
Also included in Pimpalgaon in Deola taluka are 16 meter high and 385 cm circumference sweet termind tree and 35 meter high and 650 cm enclosed Pipal trees in Vajgaon, Pimpalmala. Meanwhile, the state has a large number of rich heritage trees. Steps have been taken to give heritage status while maintaining social commitment with a view to tree conservation. The Department of Social Forestry has made it clear that in the future, the focus will be on finding and protecting old giant trees instead of just noting them.
“A search operation was carried out to gather information on hundreds of giant trees. Environmental organizations, the Green Army and locals were called in to help. Information about all the four Mahavrikshas has been sent to the senior office. Measures will be taken for the conservation of these trees as per their orders.” – Chandrakant Bharmal, Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry
Age of ancient trees
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Wad (Untwadi) – More than 200 years
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Neem (Someshwar) – More than 150 years
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Pimpal (Deola) – More than 180 years
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Sweet termind (Deola) – More than 90 years
