Every year, our state conducts wildlife censuses with great pomp and splendor. We are presented with data on the crocodile population of Bhitarkanika and the arrival of migratory birds in the azure waters of Chilika. We rejoice when the numbers of tigers and elephants increase, and hundreds of crores are allocated for their conservation. This is undoubtedly a welcome step, as the protection of wildlife is indispensable for maintaining biodiversity. Yet, amidst these counts and statistics, we seem to have forgotten the most precious treasures of nature—those who have remained rooted in one place for centuries, gifting us life. These are the eldest members of our Earth: our “Centenarian Trees.”
In every corner of Odisha, there stand magnificent Banyan trees and other ancient species that are over a hundred years old. Regrettably, we possess no official data or census to tell us exactly how many of these centenarian trees survive in our state today. These trees are not merely trunks of wood and clusters of leaves; they are our living heritage and the silent witnesses to the evolution of our civilization.
When a Banyan tree crosses the century mark, it transforms into a self-sustaining biosphere. Its hundreds of aerial roots grip the earth firmly, providing sanctuary to thousands of birds, insects, and tiny organisms. In rural Odisha, a Banyan tree is more than just a plant; it is a social epicenter, much like the traditional “Bhagabata Tungi.” There is no record of how many village councils have met under its canopy, how many festivals have been celebrated in its shade, or how many generations of children have grown up swinging from its roots.
However, in the blind race for “development,” these centenarian trees appear the most vulnerable. Under the pretext of urbanization and road expansion, massive Banyan trees are being razed to the ground in a matter of minutes. Man obliterates in moments what nature took over a hundred years to nurture. We may build a new road, but we can never reconstruct the ancient ecosystem and heritage that is lost forever.
Recognizing this crisis, administrative officer Supriya Sahu recently took a commendable step in Chennai. She launched a campaign for the census and conservation of “Heritage Trees.” There, every ancient tree is being identified, documented with photographs and age estimates, and provided with special protection. Odisha must adopt a similar vision. If our state government can conduct censuses for wildlife, why not for these ancient trees?
Long-lived trees like the Banyan should be declared “State Property.” This requires a collaborative effort ranging from the Gram Panchayat level to the Forest Department. Every centenarian tree deserves a unique identity card or record. If a road is being constructed where an ancient tree stands, regulations should ensure that either the road’s design is altered or modern technology is used to relocate the tree rather than felling it.
We all know that trees are life. But a centenarian tree provides significantly more oxygen and sequesters far more carbon than a young sapling. Today, as global warming takes a terrifying form, these ancient trees are our primary shields. They also play a crucial role in recharging groundwater levels. Cutting down a hundred-year-old Banyan and planting ten saplings in its place does not fill the void. A new sapling will take another century to become a giant, and in this era of rapid climate change, we simply do not have that kind of time. Therefore, the wisest course of action is to protect what we already have.
Beyond ecology, our religion and culture are deeply intertwined with these trees. In the Odia way of life, the “Bata Brukhya” (Banyan) holds a sacred status. From the “Kalpabata” of the Jagannath Temple to the Sahada and Banyan trees in every village, we have a tradition of worshipping nature. To keep this tradition alive, we must keep the trees alive.
I urge the government’s Tourism and Forest Departments to jointly prepare a “Centenarian Tree Map.” Individuals or organizations protecting these ancient trees in their localities should be honored. Students in schools and colleges should be involved in this movement to foster environmental consciousness. Development does not mean merely erecting concrete jungles; it means progressing alongside nature. If we fail to preserve this natural heritage, we will leave behind only a grey and barren earth for the next generation.
Let us conduct a sacred census of these centenarian trees, just as we do for wildlife, and rescue them from the brink of destruction. The cool shade of these silent giants is our greatest resource for the future. If we respect and protect them today, they will continue to keep our Earth lush and fertile for centuries to come. This would be our true gratitude to nature. The time has come to protect our living history from the strike of the axe.
