In a remarkable example of urban environmental conservation, a 188-year-old banyan tree relocated from Pachpaoli is now flourishing at Gorewada Biodiversity Park in Nagpur. Nearly four months after its transplantation, the tree is showing strong signs of revival, with fresh foliage and rapid branch growth.
The massive tree, standing 42 feet tall with a girth of 34 feet, was shifted in November 2025 following a public interest litigation that prevented its felling for a proposed civic project. The relocation, overseen under directions of the Bombay High Court, was completed within six days, with the tree replanted just 24 hours after being uprooted.
Environmental expert Dilip Chinchmalatpure, appointed by the court, highlighted that the success was due to scientific planning and consistent aftercare. The tree was carefully extracted by preserving its root system, transported using heavy machinery, and replanted with a specialised soil mix enriched with nutrients and protective treatments.
Despite being transplanted outside the ideal season and facing high temperatures, the tree has adapted well, even developing nearly 100 new branches. Experts are now carrying out selective pruning to ensure balanced growth and structural stability.
This successful transplantation sets a strong precedent for future urban development projects, demonstrating that with proper expertise and care, even centuries-old trees can be preserved while balancing infrastructure needs and environmental sustainability.
