Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Concerns Grow Over Pruning 200-Year-Old Banyan Tree in Visakhapatnam
A very old banyan tree at a school in Visakhapatnam has been trimmed.
The tree is about 200 years old.
It used to provide shade across nearly four acres.
Storms and earlier cutting had already made it smaller.
People are worried because the tree now looks bare.
The school says it needs land for development.
Officials warned that more damage could lead to a large penalty.
Experts say moving the tree would be difficult, so protecting what remains may be best.
A 200-year-old banyan tree at St. Anthony’s School in Visakhapatnam has been heavily trimmed.
The tree once spread across nearly four acres but now covers about one acre.
A school employee linked the trimming to plans to lease part of the school’s land.
Horticulture officials inspected the site, issued a warning and said further damage could bring a hefty penalty.
Residents and environmental experts want the heritage tree preserved, while the school cites development needs.
- Who
- St. Anthony’s School management, local residents, horticulture officials and environmental experts are involved.
- What
- A 200-year-old banyan tree was trimmed, prompting concerns about its future.
- When
- The latest trimming was reported recently; earlier sections were cut in 2000.
- Where
- St. Anthony’s School in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The school management reportedly plans to lease part of its land for school development.
School Development
Heritage Preservation
Use of school land
School Development
The school says land is needed for development and reportedly decided to lease part of its property.
Heritage Preservation
Residents say the banyan is part of the city’s heritage and should be protected rather than reduced further.
What should happen to the tree
School Development
A school official said translocation has low survival chances because of the tree’s age and condition.
Heritage Preservation
Environmental experts recommend preserving the remaining stump under expert supervision; residents and experts oppose further damage.
Balancing development and conservation
School Development
The school acknowledges that the tree is precious but says institutional development also requires land.
Heritage Preservation
Horticulture officials warned that any further damage could attract a hefty penalty, while residents called for stronger protection.
- Tree age
- Approximately 200 years
- Original spread
- Nearly four acres
- Current spread
- About one acre
- Earlier damage
- Storms and trimming, including cutting in 2000
- Official action
- The horticulture department inspected the site and warned against further damage
- Translocation outlook
- An official said the tree’s chances of surviving relocation are low
- Preservation proposal
- Dr. Mantha Ram Murthy suggested protecting the stump under expert supervision