Punjab: 250-year-old transplanted banyan tree shows no growth, farmer plans legal action

Punjab: Nearly a year after a 250-year-old banyan tree was uprooted and replanted in Seham village, Nakodar, for an NHAI road project, there are no signs of the tree regrowing. The tree originally stood on approximately 4.5 acres of farmer Balbir Singh’s land, which the NHAI acquired for the Bharatmala project. Singh, who led a public movement last August to save the tree from being felled, now intends to approach the court over the issue. Upon seeing the transplanted tree, the farmer feels misled by the local administration, NHAI officials, land acquisition officers, and horticulture experts, who assured him that the tree would be scientifically replanted with its root system intact and would regrow. Singh said, “Despite a good monsoon this year, not a single leaf has sprouted on the tree’s trunk. I personally took great care by watering the tree with a motor pump. Horticulture officials visited several times, including yesterday, but could not provide any assurance.” Several groups, including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), Nihang organizations, and city environmentalists, supported Singh’s campaign to save the tree last year. However, authorities cut it down around October.
Singh chose the site on his own land to plant the tree, hoping it would serve as a legacy for his children and grandchildren. “If the tree doesn’t survive, there will be no memories, which is extremely disappointing,” he said. He also recalled how his father and grandfather used to rest under its shade after hard work. Singh added, “My grandfather told me that this tree was probably planted by a Muslim family who lived here before Independence. It was the pride of our village and home to hundreds of birds, who lost their shelter after the canopy was removed. Many cattle and small animals also rested in its shade.” The campaign continues to be supported by the village community, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), Nihang groups, and city environmental activists. Retired forest officials and environmentalists have visited the village to support Singh and promote the campaign on social media. Activist Jagdish Chander urged volunteers and non-governmental organizations to join the campaign and called on people to visit the site to discuss alternative plans with the administration. Residents also appealed to Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Balbir S. Seechewal for support. Singh told government officials, “I have no objection to the acquisition of my land. I am willing to give more land for this project. My only request is that this tree be saved and the highway be built around it. This will enhance the beauty of the project and make it a landmark.” However, his demand was ignored.