Hyderabad: Preserving Telangana's Ancient Trees
A Hyderabad-based nature enthusiast, Uday Krishna, has taken up a unique mission to document and protect ancient trees in Telangana. Through his initiative, called the “Big Tree Quest,” Uday aims to raise awareness about these trees, which hold significant historical, scientific, and cultural value. So far, he has documented seven ancient trees in the state.
These heritage trees are not just symbols of the past; they also played important roles in history. For instance, some provided shelter during India’s Independence movement, while others, like the African Baobab tree in Hyderabad, have fascinating stories. Legend has it that this tree was large enough to hide 40 thieves during the daytime.
Among the trees Uday has documented are the Pillalamarri Banyan tree in Mahbubnagar, Hathiyon ka Jhaad (Baobab tree) at the Hyderabad Golf Association, the lifesaver tamarind tree at Osmania Hospital, the Gotigarpally Banyan tree in Zaheerabad, the healing tamarind tree in Damaragidda, the Veyi Urula Marri Banyan tree in Nirmal, and the visa tree in Mupkal.
Uday’s mission is not limited to Telangana. Since February 2024, he has traveled over 27,000 kilometers across 22 states and Union Territories in India, documenting more than 110 ancient trees. By the time his journey concludes, he plans to cover 150 trees, traveling a total of 40,000 kilometers.
Sharing his experiences, Uday highlighted some remarkable trees in Telangana. He spoke about Pillalamarri, an 800-year-old banyan tree in Mahbubnagar, which once spread across four acres. Although parts of it have fallen, its roots remain intact. Locals describe it as a “green hill” visible from afar. Another noteworthy tree is the tamarind tree at Osmania Hospital, which saved 150 lives during floods.
Uday’s ultimate goal is to urge the government to designate these trees as heritage trees and ensure their preservation. He suggests that maintenance efforts could also be supported through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. By documenting these trees and their stories, Uday hopes to protect these living monuments for future generations.
