73 ancient trees of Prayagraj region bag ‘heritage’ status
Uttar Pradesh govt list includes 53 trees of Prayagraj, 13 of Pratapgrah and 7 of Kaushambi in its list of 943
PRAYAGRAJ: Over-a-century-old 73 trees of Prayagraj region which have religious importance or historical association have been given the ‘Heritage Tree’ status by the UP government.
As many as 53 trees such trees of Prayagraj, 13 of the neighbouring district of Pratapgrah and seven from Kaushambi, which are all over 100 years old, have made it to the list of 943 trees of 28 species across the state. The list was released by UP State Biodiversity Board, officials said.
In a directive issued on November 8, 2019, the state government had asked divisional commissioners, district magistrates and forest department officers across the state to prepare a list of such trees which were over 100 years old and were associated with historical occasions, important events, monuments, religious traditions, etc. Such trees were to be included in the list of ‘Heritage Trees’.
Based on the lists from the districts, an extensive inspection was carried out by a team of experts, which visited all the places from where the tentative lists were submitted.
On the basis of the recommendation of the team, the state government, through the UP State Biodiversity Board, has now announced the list of 943 trees which would be conferred the title of ‘Heritage Trees’ of the state, and thereby, get protection and care needed for their survival.
In this first-of-its-kind initiative in UP, 53 trees have been selected from Prayagraj too, including 21 Banyan trees, 20 Peepal trees, four trees each of Pakhad and Neem, two of Parijat and one tree each of Mahua and Sheesham varieties.
“It is a known fact that the city of Prayagraj has a rich historical and religious legacy and these trees have been the witnesses to this legacy and have rightly been tagged as heritage trees. These include the famous Akshaywat tree located inside Akbar’s fort, the Parijaat tree on the banks of Ganga at Jhunsi side, the Banyan tree located besides the Senate Hall in the Arts faculty of Allahabad University, the huge Sheesham tree at Ram Shayan Ashram at Shringverpur,” said YP Shukla, divisional forest officer (DFO), Prayagraj.
Besides, the city had numerous trees which are not only old but also have historical and religious value. These trees are at different places in the district including Allahabad Museum, Azad Park, Allahabad University, Railway DRM Office etc which too have been included in the list.
Likewise, among the 943 trees, which have been identified as heritage trees, 13 trees are from neighbouring Pratapgarh district. These include four Banyan trees, seven Peepal trees and one each of Samel (Bombax ceiba or silk cotton tree) and Kareel.
This Kareel tree is also famous as Kareel Baba Sthan. Locals believe that Lord Ram had rested under the shade of the tree while going towards Chitrakoot for the 14-year exile.
Similarly, seven trees from the Kaushambi districts are also in the state government’s list of heritage trees. Among these are three trees each of Banyan and Peepal and an Imli (Tamarind) tree.
“Now that these trees will be tagged heritage trees, they are sure to not just get protection and care but also be included in the list of tourist attractions,” the DFO said.
LOCALS BELIEVE THAT LORD RAM HAD RESTED UNDER THE SHADE OF THE TREE WHILE GOING TOWARDS CHITRAKOOT