Sangareddy: Citizens supported by environmental activist Paladugu Gyaneshwar of Sangareddy have saved a 100-year-old sacred fig tree from being felled from the premises of the Lord Shiva temple near Raithu Bazar in Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad. After learning about the temple committee’s attempt to remove the tree, Gyaneshwar rushed to Vanasthalipuram from Siddipet and staged a six-hour protest demanding the temple management to stop cutting the tree, whose branches had already been cut in the name of pruning. Gyaneshwar spoke to Forest Range Officer (FRO) Indrasen Reddy and informed him about the incident. The FRO said the department had not given any permission to cut the tree. However, Reddy did not visit the spot to stop the cutting of the tree or take any action against the culprits, Gyaneshwar said.
Several citizens, especially children and elderly, joined Gyaneshwar and protested near the tree holding placards and raising slogans, which attracted the attention of more people who then joined the protest. Finally, temple committee president Matam Santha Kumar and other committee members spoke to them and assured the protesters that they would not cut the tree. The issue started when the branches of the huge tree, where devotees used to sit after offering prayers, were cut a week ago. Local citizens Asha Jyothi, Venu Madhav and others raised their voice against the attempt. However, the officials decided to cut the tree, following which the citizens called Gyaneshwar. Gyaneshwar (26), a resident of Muktapur in Nagulgidda mandal of Sangareddy district, is currently staying in Siddipet to prepare for competitive exams.
