Banyans on Chevella highway at risk as centre sanctions road-widening project

Hyderabad: On Sunday, a group of more than 200 eco-warriors gathered on the Chevella highway and lit up diyas to protest the axing of over 1,100 banyan trees that were said to be planted by the Nizam’s government a century ago. Over 1,100 banyan trees along with 9,000 other trees that dot both the sides […]

Hyderabad: On Sunday, a group of more than 200 eco-warriors gathered on the Chevella highway and lit up diyas to protest the axing of over 1,100 banyan trees that were said to be planted by the Nizam’s government a century ago.

Over 1,100 banyan trees along with 9,000 other trees that dot both the sides of the Hyderabad-Manneguda highway are under the threat of being axed after a road-widening project got sanctioned by the Central government.

The members of the group ‘Nature lovers of Hyderabad’ lit diyas in front of the trees, took a pledge, and tied threads of friendship around the banyans as a sign of protecting them. Over 25 little children too joined the protest in their own unique way.

Sadhana Ramchander, who is part of the group, condemned the authorities concerned for not coming up with an alternative route for the highway to prevent the felling of a large number of trees.

She appealed to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to shelve the project.

The group has also started an online petition to stop the murder of these majestic trees which took decades to grow their deep roots. It has gathered more than 43,000 signatures so far.

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