After notifying 31 trees of different species as “heritage trees” in Chandigarh, the UT Forests and Wildlife Department has now decided to give “heritage status” to more than 100 trees in the city.
The move is aimed at preserving the trees that are over a century old and have been a silent spectator of birth and growth of Chandigarh, created in the year 1966.
It was for the first time in the year 2017 that the UT Administration had notified 31 trees in various parts of the city as “heritage trees”. A booklet was also published to highlight the oldest and magnificent trees standing tall in the City Beautiful.
These trees were identified in a joint survey of the UT Forests and Wildlife Department and NGO Yuvsatta. During the joint venture, 77 trees that are more than 100 years old were identified and recommended to be given “heritage status” while another 65 trees were identified which were less than 100 years old but were recommended to be given the status of heritage sites.
“With an aim to preserve the old trees in Chandigarh, we have decided to tag more than 100 trees as heritage trees. Earlier, 31 trees were given the status of heritage,” said Dr Abdul Qayum, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chandigarh while talking to The Pioneer.
“We had issued a public notice asking the residents to convey to us about the trees in their locality that holds heritage value. While a few residents have come forward, we have also identified the heritage trees,” he said.
He said, “Now, the Department will begin a fresh exercise to tag trees that are more than 100 years of age as heritage trees. The old trees will be tagged as heritage and detailed information about their history, specifications and significance will be mentioned at the site.”
Notably, of the 31 heritage trees in Chandigarh, 15 are Peepal, 11 are Banyan, four are Mango trees while one is Earpod tree.
The criteria adopted for identification of heritage tree was by virtue of its age i.e around 100 years, aesthetic value, historical significance, cultural reasons, social and educational value, trees that are landmarks of a community and inhabitation and trees in a notable grove. Estimates of tree age are made based on diameter and also, bark texture.
One of the oldest trees identified in Chandigarh is a Peepal tree in Khudda Ali Sher village.
The tree standing tall at a Gurudwara entrance in the village is estimated to be 350 years old.
Another centuries old tree is at Dadumajra. The majestic Bargad (Banyan) tree there is estimated to be 300 years old.
