107-year-old banyan tree’s birthday celebrated; unique initiative for environmental awareness

107-year-old banyan tree’s birthday celebrated; unique initiative for environmental awareness

Mangalore Today News Network

Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Jul 27, 2026: In a unique initiative to promote environmental conservation amid the growing loss of large trees to development projects, nature lovers and school students celebrated the 107th birthday of a banyan tree in Sellur, Madurai, with great enthusiasm.

The celebration was held as part of the ’Green Nature Festival’ on Sellur-Kulamangalam Road in the Meenakshipuram area. Organised by the Water Bodies Protection Movement in association with several public trusts, the event was led by the movement’s founder, Abubakar, and witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, environmentalists, and local residents.

The century-old tree was decorated with colourful lights while students marked the occasion by cutting a birthday cake, sharing sweets, and taking an environmental protection pledge. Organisers also distributed free notebooks and saplings to encourage children to contribute to conservation efforts. The banyan tree’s birthday has been celebrated annually since 2019 to spread awareness about protecting trees from indiscriminate felling.

According to organisers, at least seven century-old banyan trees in the locality were cut down in recent years for road widening and park development, leaving this 107-year-old tree as the only surviving heritage banyan in the area.

The sprawling tree serves as a habitat for hundreds of birds, including crows, pigeons, and cuckoos. However, environmentalists say it continues to face several threats, including garbage burning at its base, pruning of branches by electricity department personnel to clear power lines, and noise pollution caused by firecrackers during festivals. They have urged authorities to take immediate steps to ensure its long-term protection.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in neighbouring Karur district, a nearly 200-year-old banyan tree collapsed in the Kulithalai area, crushing two parked vehicles. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, though both vehicles suffered extensive damage. The incident has renewed concerns over the preservation and maintenance of ageing heritage trees across the state.

VIDEO | Madurai, Tamil Nadu: Students, environmentalists and local residents celebrate the 107th birthday of a century-old banyan tree in Madurai by cutting a cake, singing birthday songs, and taking a pledge to protect trees and the environment.

(Full video available on PTI… pic.twitter.com/SCR0VGG4gA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 27, 2026