Kolkata's 255-year-old Banyan Tree: A Natural Wonder And Tourist Attraction

India is a country full of historical heritage and amazing natural resources. From Lal Qila to the Taj Mahal, India shelters many historic monuments. The giant banyan tree in Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden at Shibpur of Howrah city in Kolkata. The giant banyan tree is 255 years old and is spread over 5 acres of land. The banyan tree is also called the oldest citizen of Kolkata. People from around the world come to see this tree in the Botanical Garden. It is one of the primary attractions for the tourists in Kolkata. The primary root of the banyan tree was destroyed long ago due to fungal infection, but its veins are continuously expanding, considered nothing less than a miracle for many.

In the last 30 years, this tree has reportedly spread over more than two acres of land. Due to the continuous spread of the giant banyan tree, the officials of the Botanical Garden have had to increase its boundary so that this historic tree can be kept safe. The veins of the tree have spread to 5 acres.

In 1985, when a fence was erected around the tree, it covered an area of three acres. Today, so many roots have grown from the veins of the tree that the total covered area has become more than five acres. The Botanical Survey of India has named this giant tree ‘The Walking Tree’. Botanical Garden officials said that this Great Banyan Tree has more than 4,000 roots that keep it alive.

This giant banyan tree has been included in the Guinness World Records as the largest tree specimen in the world in 1989. The Giant Banyan Tree is moving towards the east following the direction of sunlight. Botanical Garden curator MU Sharif said that special attention is being paid to the protection of the tree.

A total of 13 employees of the Botanical Garden take special care of the tree. Four of them are senior botanists and the rest are trained gardeners. They keep checking the tree for signs of fungal infection, termite infestation and decay. Another senior botanist Basant Singh said that lichens and moss are also checked on the tree to keep track of its health. The biggest task is to help the tree as much as possible to help it expand.