200-year old banyan tree in Bajali faces erosion threat

From a Correspondent

PATHSALA, July 11: In Assam, the famous banyan tree located in Jalikata village of Pathsala in Bajali subdivision, is believed to be one of the oldest banyan trees in India, and is nearly 200 years old!

The banyan tree is spread over around three bighas of land and is believed to be one of the largest living trees in the Asian subcontinent of the banks of Kaldia river at Jalikata in Bajali subdivison. ture- loving people often visit the place, especially during the winter season, and it is a preferred spot for picnickers.

Now the tree is under a serious threat of erosion from Kaldia river. The voices raised be the ture-loving people have found no positive response. A few years back, ture lovers of Bajali had celebrated the 200th birthday of the tree. The people of the locality are already running a ‘Sivatham’ in the me of ‘Sivathan Santi Nikatan Jaseva Ashram’ and every year Siva Chaturdashi is celebrated with various programmes.

There is ample scope of develop the spot as a tourist place. The local people have demanded that the authorities should take proper steps to save the tree at any cost and to develop the place so that more people can visit the area.