Great Banyan Tree at Kolkata : An Environmental Heritage

Great Banyan Tree at Kolkata : An Environmental Heritage

Signages for the Great Banyan Tree

Prop - roots & Trunks of Great Banyan Tree

Prop - roots & Trunks of Great Banyan Tree

Perspective View of The Great Banyan Tree at Howrah, near Kolkata

Details about The Great Banyan Tree

 ‘The Great Banyan Tree’ is located at Acharya Jagdish Chandra Botanic Garden, Howrah near Kolkata and considered to be the longest surviving & the largest tree of India. It is situated on the bank of Hoogly river.

  Salient features of the Great Banyan Tree

·      The Great Banyan Tree at AJC Bose Botanic Garden, Kolkata is believed to be planted in year 1787. In year 1989, it was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as ‘the largest tree specimen in the world’.

·      It is spread over an area of 18,918 sqm (or 4.67 acres) approx.  Its circumference is about 450 m. It appears not as a tree but as a forest. More than 3000 prop–roots can be seen which have grown up during the period spanning more than 238 years.

·      It belongs to the species ‘Ficus benghalensis’.

·      It has survived severe storms in the year 1864, 1867 & 2020. It was also damaged by lightening. In year 1925, due to decay, its main trunk was removed to save it from further ruining.

·      Fruits of banyan tree are known as ‘Fig’ or ‘Syconium’. A number of bird species, bats, squirrels and other species feed on figs of the banyan tree. The Great Banyan Tree is home to various birds and creatures.

·      Banyan trees are worshiped and believed to bring good luck & prosperity. ‘ Vat – Savitri Puja’ is performed on Amavasya of Jyeshtha month.

·      It is also considered as the symbol of knowledge.

AJC Bose Indian Botanical Farden, Kolkata

Trunks of Great Banyan Tree & Signage

Array of branches

Peripheral Road encircling the Great Banyan Tree

Prop-roots & Trunks of Great Banyan Tree

Prop-roots of Great Banyan Tree

Great Banyan Tree (Details in Hindi)

Syconium - Fig-like fruit of Banyan Tree

Fig-like fruit of Banyan Tree

# ‘The Great Banyan Tree’ at Kolkata is a living specimen of our environmental heritage. Its presence inspire us for active participation in conservation of trees & forests to save our plants & planet. A visit to the AJC Bose Botanic Garden fills us with sheer peace and tranquility. 

Dedicated to the World Environment Day, 05th June

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