Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) the national tree of India, is a very huge tree with spreading lateral roots and numerous branches with prop roots symbolizing our country’s unity. One can find banyan trees throughout our country. The huge sized tree acts as a shield and protects from hot sun. This is the reason why the tree is planted near temples, villages, burial ground and roadsides. In the rural parts of our country, banyan tree is considered as the focal point of the Panchayats and the gathering place for village councils and meetings. The tree is also considered sacred by the Hindus with high medicinal value.

Why this Campaign:-1. Due to degradation of social values and escalation cost of coal prices banyan wood is used in place of coal by some of the brick manufacturing units.

2. Banyan tree is a huge tree that can mitigate global warming by trapping maximum carbon dioxide from atmosphere.

3. It is easy to propagate this tree as it occupies a special place in our heart and mind.

4. There is no substitute for this tree in cooling the atmosphere, providing food, shade and shelter to domestic animals and wild life.

Objectives:- To conserve one lakh banyan trees in Odisha within a span of 5 years i.e. from 28.2.10 to 28.2.15.

How to Do:- I. To collect seedlings from nature and grow them in unused earthen pots, bags etc.

II. To cover the exposed roots of aged trees by soil by constructing 10’x10’x3’ brick/stone wall around the tree, filling it with soil and keeping the top un-cemented. By doing this the tree gets strengthened and the prop roots easily enter the soil. 

 III. Fencing the old plants to protect prop roots to touch the ground as the soft whitish tips of prop roots are prone to grazing by cattle. Allowing one prop root to touch the ground is as good as planting a new plant.

IV. To plant a seedling in burial ground/ community tank embankment/ avenues/

roadside etc.                                      

V. Naming of all Banyan Trees and putting a flag in each of them. By doing so, we may prevent its damage by   people as it is a godly tree.

You Please be Associated:- Interested Persons/Institutions/Organizations may suggest ways and means to support and propagate the campaign with people’s participation. In case you need seedlings, please collect it from our collection center free of cost.