A 200-year-old banyan tree, which is the main attraction of the Kalewadi-Pimpri Road, may disappear soon as the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has begun removing all encroachments to widen the road to 45 metres. The move has come under criticisim from environmentalists, who argue that the tree could easily be saved if the administration puts it mind to it.

The tree, tall and wide, is located in front of the Dhangarbaba temple in Kalewadi area of Pimpri-Chinchwad. It was apparently planted by the forefathers of the prominent Nakhate family, based in Rahatni and Kalewadi. At any given time of the year, several tired citizens can be spotted relaxing under the soothing shade of the tree and in summer, the numbers swells to around 300. There are also those who stop en route for lunch from their tiffin boxes. The 200-year-old is among the 544 trees that PCMC plans to fell from Kalewadi to Dehu Road. The PCMC is planning to make the stretch “world-class”, civic officials said.

Chandrakant Nakhate, whose family claims ownership of the trees, said the tree was planted by his forefathers along with a spiritual leader Dhangarbaba, who belonged to the shepherd community. After the death of the Dhangarbaba, a temple was built by the locals, who held the Dhangarbaba in high esteem. “When I was seven-eight years old, my father told me stories that revolved around the trees. He told me to preserve the tree as it was planted by our ancestors,” said 43-year-old Nakhate, who has decided to meet municipal commissioner Asheesh Sharma and impress upon him the need to save the tree. Suggesting that there several ways to ensure that the tree remains, Nakhate said, “I am not rushing forth because the tree is like a family member for us. The tree is an integral part of the road where citizens find peace of mind. It adds dignity to the road.”

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