Century-old banyan tree transplanted by Nashik civic body

Nashik: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) transplanted a century-old banyan tree on the premises of the residential quarters of Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI) along Dindori Road.An NMC official, while talking to TOI, said the initiative is part of the efforts to conserve ficus tree species such as banyan and peepal that have been identified as hazardous at several locations. The civic body also initiated the process to transplant additional banyan trees from the Gangapur Road and Dindori Road areas. "These trees were categorised as dangerous as they were either located in the middle of roads or along their edges. Pits have already been dug to facilitate the transplantation of the remaining trees," the official said.The civic body plans to transplant around 30 more Ficus trees at three locations in the city, including the MERI residential colony, Police Training Centre premises and Panzra Pol area on the outskirts of Nashik. "We will carry out the transplantation as per the directives of the National Green Tribunal, which imposed an interim stay on cutting of any kind of trees and on transplantation until April 28. The stay was granted during the hearing on April 7. On April 6, a banyan tree was transplanted at the MERI residential quarters," officials said.