New Delhi/Kolkata. India is a country full of historical heritage and amazing natural resources. Every corner is unique and unmatched in itself. India has always been an interesting and important country for domestic as well as foreign tourists and researchers. A giant banyan tree located in Shibpur, Howrah comes in this list. Actually, the giant banyan tree is 255 years old. Also, this tree is spread over 5 acres of land. The banyan tree is also called the oldest and oldest citizen of Kolkata.
The 255-year-old giant banyan tree is located in Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden in Shibpur, Howrah. In the last 30 years, this tree has spread over more than two acres of land. People from across the country as well as abroad come to see this tree in the Botanical Garden. It is the main center of attraction among tourists. Due to the continuous spread of the giant banyan tree, the officials of the Botanical Garden have had to increase its boundary so that this historic tree can be kept safe.
Continuously expanding veins
The main root of the banyan tree has been destroyed long ago, but its veins are continuously expanding. The veins of the tree have expanded to 5 acres. Looking at a single tree, it feels as if one has come to a jungle. In the year 1985, when a fence was erected around the tree, it covered an area of three acres. Today, so many roots have grown from the veins of the tree that the total covered area has become more than 5 acres. The Botanical Survey of India has named this giant tree ‘The Walking Tree’.
Guinness World Records
This giant banyan tree has been included in the Guinness World Records. Botanical Garden officials said that this Great Banyan Tree has more than 4,000 roots that keep it alive. They say that this is a wonder in itself, because the main root was destroyed in 1925 due to fungal infection. The tree is ‘moving’ towards the east following the direction of sunlight. This tree soon crossed the surrounding paved roads and continued to move towards the east. Botanical Garden curator MU Sharif said that special attention is being paid to the protection of the tree.
13 people take care of the tree
Thirteen employees of the Botanical Garden take special care of the tree. Four of them are senior botanists and the rest are trained gardeners. They keep checking the tree for signs of fungal infection, termite infestation and decay. Another senior botanist, Basant Singh, said that lichens and moss are also checked on the tree to keep track of its health. The biggest task is to help the tree as much as possible to aid its growth.
Tags: Ajab Gajab, National News, OMG News
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 5, 2024, 20:51 IST
