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Sanjam Preet Singh
A branch arches over a path, giving an impression of a gateway. A few steps in the direction and you are in the midst of a dense canopy of leaves.
Shift your gaze to the ground, from where thick trunks reach out to the sky, with branches intertwining. Numerous twigs hang, reaching out to the ground. Many of them take root. A nature’s play is at work — trunks branch out and branches take root. The constant chirping of birds and rustling of leaves in a light breeze sets the rhythm of the place. The sun plays hide and seek through gaps in the canopy. In one corner, a peacock roams followed by peachicks. And in another, a couple of stray dogs wrestle.
This is the world of Baroti, a banyan tree spread over 3.5 acres on the outskirts of Cholti Kheri village in Fatehgarh Sahib district.
Some say it is 250 years old, and some date it back to 300 years. There are some who fold their hands in reverence and refuse to ascribe an age to the grand-old tree. All they say is Baroti has been in existence even before their grandfathers.
Its age notwithstanding, Baroti is significant in terms of biodiversity as it supports peacocks, owls and many other birds, reptiles such as snakes, monitor lizards, garden lizards, insects, arthropods, millipedes, nematodes, epiphytes, bryophytes, fungi, algae and lichens.
“The tree supports 25 species of birds from the point of view of food. Besides, it is a habitat for about 250 peacocks,” says Onkar Singh, a professor of zoology at Punjabi University, Patiala. Given its significance, the tree will be developed as Punjab’s first biodiversity heritage site under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
“Under the Act, the panchayat has passed a resolution, giving their consent for declaring Baroti a biodiversity heritage site. Only a public hearing is pending. In that, villagers will be asked to come up with objections to the move, if any. If there is none, a notification will be issued,” says Gurharminder Singh, senior scientific officer, Punjab Biodiversity Board.
The grand old tree is in need of care. “The biggest challenge is to curb the growth of glo vale that grows on the branches. It is a climber that sucks sap from leaves. As the moisture content increases, the weight of the climber increases. Subsequently, it brings down the branches, even more quickly if the climber grows on termite-infested branches. As glo vale has to be removed manually, it is a tedious task,” adds Gurharminder.
He adds that a few stems have been infested with termite. “One cannot check the natural decay of a tree. Baroti would have dried up long back if the board had not intervened. There was a plinth-like concrete structure around the main stem. A temple and a few rooms were constructed nearby as well. The board got the structure demolished,” Gurharminder says.
In 2014, the board had formed the Biodiversity Management Committee. Its focus has been on community involvement. Cholti Kheri village sarpanch Gurwinder Singh, the president of the committee, has been asked to sensitise villagers about the importance of the tree.
Even before the board stepped in, residents of Cholti Kheri and nearby villages have been taking care of Baroti. For them, it is a place of worship. Mahant Chhotu Giri, who lives in the temple, says Baroti listens to you. “It is a kaya kalp variksh. Wish for something and it will be fulfilled.” This is the reason no farmer cuts the tree, even if Baroti spreads to fields around it. “The fear of misfortune befalling people stops them from cutting the branches,” says Naib Singh, whose half-an-acre land is now part of Baroti.
Stories of mishaps abound in Cholti Kheri and nearby villages. Bant Singh of Cholti Kheri cites one. A few years ago, two to three men from Salempur village had cut branches of the tree. They did so out of defiance, challenging those who believe in “magical powers” of Baroti. Subsequently, they went mad.
Many villagers believe this and several such tales. Faith knows no reason. Faithful or not, you tend to bow your head in reverence as you take leave of the place.
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