Dawn Report
http://www.dawn.com/2002/08/05/letted.htm#6
Aug 05, 2002
My greatest fascination was for the ancient banyan trees growing all along the road from Lahore to Rawalpindi. I would plead with mother to stop under a banyan for a break for refreshments. We would spend a good 15 to 20 minutes under the giant tree. I would go round and observe the gnarled root formations around the main girth of the tree and I would look at the long roots dangling down.
These historic trees on both sides of the Grand Trunk Road in my opinion must be two to five hundred years old, especially between Gujjar Khan and Rewat. It seems they were planted in earlier centuries to give travellers a resting place when most travel must have been on foot or on horseback. Along each gigantic tree I found a kutcha man-made reservoir large enough to hold rain water to overcome the summer heat and drought enabling such trees to survive for long years.
I would like readers to throw light on these magnificent trees in the region, especially as to their age and the best way to preserve them. Everyone is aware that such trees are of great significance. They are revered by the Buddhists. They are to be found in almost all the villages of the Punjab near the well, a place of worship, shamlat for community gatherings, etc. There are many old banyan trees in Lahore itself. In my view, they need to be catalogued and preserved under an appropriate law.
My purpose is to make readers, concerned organizations and NGOs aware of the need to take immediate measures to stop the destruction of these banyan trees which are a part of our heritage. The large-scale destruction of these trees and the disappearance of the water reservoirs will wipe out this centuries-old species.
The rest of the world is seriously trying to preserve and improve the environment of our planet. Why should Pakistan not take remedial measures in this direction?
The expansion of the double lane of the Grand Trunk Road has played havoc with the graceful old banyan trees. The trees in the middle of two roads could easily be saved by providing a small pool of water and giving them better soil conditions to prevent them from dying of the immense heat of the concrete road.
It is a matter of a few thousand rupees which the National Highway Authority or the Parks and Horticultural Authority could easily spend to preserve these old trees. Many similar trees have been destroyed in widening the Grand Trunk Road.
The WWF and the Forest department should take immediate measures to save such ancient trees not only on the Grand Trunk Road but all over the country.
The banyan is a sacred tree; it is environment-friendly and has provided shelter to many generations through the centuries. We should not allow this valuable part of our heritage to die.
SAEED AHMED CHAUDHRY
Lahore
Official Demolition Squad Targets Another Historical Building in Murree (July 09, 2002)
Ban on Construction of New Buildings in Murree (Aug 08, 2002)
Those Beautiful Banyan Trees (Aug 05, 2002)