PRAYAGRAJ: The Uttar Pradesh government has identified 943 trees from a total of 28 species across the state under the category of heritage trees. Of the trees in Prayagraj district, there are 53 trees in Sangam city that are over 100 years old and have a religious or historical association. Besides, there are 13 such trees from the neighbouring district of Pratapgrah and seven from Kaushambi.
Following the directives of the state government, the divisional forest officer (DFO) across the state were asked to prepare a list of such trees that are over 100 years old and are associated with mythological events, historical occasions, important events, monuments, religious traditions etc. Such trees were to be included in the list of ‘heritage trees’.
As a follow-up, an extensive inspection was done by the team of experts which visited all the places from where the tentative list was submitted to the government.
Based on the recommendation of the team, the state government has now announced the list of 943 trees which would be tagged as heritage trees of the state. These trees are among the 28 species of three commonly seen in any city.
Of this first-of-its-kind initiative in UP, 53 trees have been selected from the Sangam city too. These include 21 Banyan trees, 20 Pipal trees, four trees each of Pakhad and Neem, two of Parijat and one tree each of Mahua and Shesham.
“It is a known fact that the city of Prayagraj has a rich historical and religious legacy and these trees have been the witness to this legacy and have rightly been tagged as heritage trees. These include the famous Akshaywat tree located at Akbar fort, the Parijaat tree at the banks of river Ganga at Jhansi side, the Banyan tree located beside the Senate hall of the Arts faculty of Allahabad University, the huge Sheesham tree at Ram Shayan Ashram at Shringverpur," said the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Prayagraj, YP Shukla.
Besides, the city had numerous trees which are not only old but also had historical and religious value. These trees are at different places in the district including Allahabad Museum, Azad Park, Allahabad University, Railway DRM Office etc.
Likewise, among the 943 trees, which have been identified as heritage trees, 13 trees are from the neighbouring Pratapgrah district. These include four Banyan trees, seven Pipal trees and one each of Samel (Bombax ceiba or silk cotton tree) and Kareel. This Kareel tree is also famous as Kareel Baba Sthan. Locals believe that Lord Ram had rested under the shade of the tree while going towards Chitrakoot for the 14 years of exile.
Similarly, seven trees from the neighbouring district of Kaushambi is also on the state government’s list of heritage trees. Among these are three trees each of Banyan and Pipal and a tree of Imli (Tamarind).
“Now that these trees would be tagged as heritage trees, they are sure to be included in the list of tourists coming to these places and government”, said the DFO.