Hyderabad: The process of widening the Hyderabad-Bijapur highway roads has put around 950 fully-grown banyan trees under threat. The road, which currently comprises two lanes, is being extended to accommodate four lanes.
Vata foundation is keen on translocating the trees but has yet received a response from the government yet.
Farmers living on the outskirts of the city have been coming forward to have those trees planted in their locality in case translocation is carried out.
Meanwhile, a change.org petition started for the same purpose garnered around 27,000 signatures.
Mr Uday Krishna Peddireddi from Vata Foundation said, “We wonder where our birds are disappearing off to or why monkeys are invading our cities or towns, yet we do nothing to protect their habitats. We’ve lost thousands of trees already and if we do not act immediately, we will inevitably lose what’s left. The last few 80+ years old banyan trees on the highway are in danger. Over 900 fully-grown majestic banyan trees need to be rescued, and we are ready to do whatever it takes. All we need is the support from the government.”
Vata Foundation has previously rescued around two thousand trees in KPHB, Mulugu, Nagarkurnool, LB Nagar, and Gachibowli among other areas.
It costs between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 per translocation, depending on the size of the tree and the distance.
According to a survey by Vata Foundation, around 550 of the 950 banyan trees at risk in the road expansion project are under high tension lines and have been trimmed and will not be allowed to grow.
