Telangana villagers unite to save 75-year-old Peepal tree from felling

In Pedda Thandrapadu, a village in the Rajoli mandal of Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana, residents have come together to protect a Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) that has stood at the centre of their community for over seven decades. The tree, located within a private property, faces the threat of being cut down after the landowner sought permission from the Forest Department.

The villagers first raised the issue during a recent ‘Prajavani’ programme, a public grievance redressal platform, and submitted a representation to the authorities. They said the tree is a vital part of their social and cultural life. Earlier, there was a cement platform around the tree where people would gather and hold village meetings. That platform was later demolished and a compound wall was constructed, enclosing the tree within a private property.

When the property owner applied to the Forest Department for permission to fell the tree, calling it a hazard, the villagers collectively objected. They approached the police, the Forest Range Officer, the Mandal Revenue Officer, the Mandal Parishad Development Officer, the District Collector, and the National Green Tribunal, requesting that the felling be stopped.

In their petition, the villagers noted that the tree’s ‘Paala Komma’ (sacred branch) has been used in rituals such as weddings for generations. They have asked for a comprehensive inquiry into how the tree came to be enclosed and have demanded that it be declared a ‘heritage tree’.

Kurva China Ramudu, an 85-year-old villager, recalled that the tree was planted during his childhood, making it roughly 75 years old. His statement supports the villagers’ claim about the tree’s age and historical value.

The landowner, Jangam Bhogeshwar Rao, a government teacher, said his parents bought the land in the 1960s, and it was later divided among siblings. He explained that he demolished the platform and built the compound wall because the area was attracting drunkards and vagabonds. He alleged that the current protest is driven by personal rivalries and noted that some of the villagers had even helped him construct the wall.

Rao said he is willing to bear the cost of translocating the tree if necessary, but he pointed out that the massive root system could threaten the structural safety of his house. The Village Panchayat Secretary, Durga Prasad, stated that there is no dispute over the land title and that existing documents confirm it as private property. He added that the panchayat has not taken any decision on the felling and no alternative land has been offered to the owner.

Forest Range Officer Parvez Ahmed said permission has not yet been granted for felling the tree, citing the villagers’ objections. He noted that Peepal is an exempted species under the rules, and if it stands on private land, the owner can normally apply online and proceed with felling. However, he added, “This is a special case where all the villagers except the family are objecting to the felling. So we are not permitting it.”

The standoff highlights the growing tension between development and conservation, as well as the cultural and emotional significance that old trees hold for local communities. For now, the tree remains standing, and the villagers continue to press for its protection.