The 700-year-old tree is being given a treatment by injecting it with a diluted chemical to kill termite population that has infested the tree. Pumping the chemical into the stem has failed and hence, the forest officials are now infusing the chemical solution via a procedure similar to the saline drip given to patients in the hospital.

As part of rejuvenation attempts to revive the almost dying tree, the world’s second largest Banyan tree in Pillalamarri of Mahabubnagar district in Telangana is now ona ‘saline drip’. TOI reports that the 700-year-old tree is being given a treatment by injecting it with a diluted chemical to kill termite population that has infested the tree. Pumping the chemical into the stem has failed and hence, the forest officials are now infusing the chemical solution via a procedure similar to the saline drip given to patients in the hospital. The tree had been closed to tourists since December 2017 as termites had affected the tree and caused many parts of it to fall out.”The tree is spread over more than three acres of land and part of it has fallen due to the decay of the roots and stem. With the expert opinion of retired IFS official Manoranjan Bhanja, we have started treatment and protection in three ways. We diluted the Chlorpyrifos chemical and started pushing it into the stem by keeping holes, but it didn’t work out. The solution was coming back instantly. Later we started injecting solution like a saline drip. This process has been effective. Secondly, we are watering the roots with the diluted solution to kill the termites. And in a physical method, we are building concrete structures to support the collapsing heavy branches,” said Mahabubnagar District Forest Officer Chukka Ganga Reddy told TOI.

Reddy added that the tree’s health is stable now and that they are also planning to open the site to the public after discussing it with higher officials. However, now, the tourists will have to see it from behind barricades. G Sailu, the Telangana Biodiversity Board scientist said that the tree site cannot be declared as biodiversity heritage site as it is in a reserve forest.

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