Over 100 names added to database of heritage trees

Allahabad: Paryavaran Sena, a non-profit organisation dedicated to environment protection, has begun compiling data of more than 100 heritage trees that it has identified for preservation.
All the heritage trees identified are banyan and peepal trees, and are more than 100 years old. These trees have been identified in several villages including Kushfara, Saray Gobind Rai, Antpur, Tarapur, Khjohari and Bojhi.
Assisted by the forest department, the volunteers have roped in students and teachers from primary and senior secondary schools, particularly in rural pockets, to preserve the heritage trees.
The exercise to identify ancient trees and plant more banyan and peepal trees was launched in the first week of this month.
Ajay Krantikari, head of Prayavaran Sena, told TOI, “We have been actively interacting with people of all ages, particularly schoolchildren. In our sessions, we brief people about the factors responsible for ecological damage over the past several years and the dire need to preserve trees.
He further added, “With the active participation of local residents, we have managed to collect data of more than 100 old banyan and peepal trees.” A senior official of forest department said, “The department is maintaining a database of heritage trees, planted more than 100 years ago. Efforts are on to encourage plantation of more such trees in villages, blocks and cities.”