GUJAR KHAN: Another fig tree, commonly called Peepal, has successfully been shifted to a new and safer point – this time in Missa Kaswal village near Gujar Khan.

The tree, which is estimated to be over 70 years old, stood on the crossroads of the bus bayand had come in the way of the service trackalong G.T. Road in Missa Kaswal.

Missa Kaswal, like many other villages of Gujar Khan and Potohar region, has plenty of Banyan and Peepal trees as well as ponds, and the residents have a strong association with them.

They consider it to be a legacy of their forefathers.

Mohammad Arshad, a transporter present at the Missa Kaswal bus stop, told Dawn that the Peepal tree was part of their dailyroutine.

He said many other drivers like him parked their vans and rickshaws under the cool shade of the tree, whereas commuters also preferred to stand beneath it as they waited for transport.

Raja Tanveer, a lumbardar of the village, said his parents had seen the tree in the same glory around 40 years ago, and according to them it had sprouted out from the stem of a Seesam tree.

He said the community would never allow it to be chopped down, which was why they had requested Brig Ejaz Qamarto arrange its shifting to a safer and feasible location.

Khawaja MazharIqbal, an environmentalist and preserver of Banyan and Peepal trees in Punjab, on getting this assignment, drove all the way from Islamabad to survey the sitetwo days ago. Later on, with the help and financial assistance of the locals, he started the shifting process which continued till the early hours of Friday.

The residents have also arranged a caretaker who would water the tree and protect it till its roots became firm.

Mr Iqbal, while talking to this reporter, said the village people had an association with the tree, which was a positive sign.

He said every citizen should love nature, protect trees and preserve environment, adding that only then can we combat the effects of climate change and global warming.

He said he hadsuccessfully managed the shifting of centuries-old Banyan trees – one located at the railway station in Bhaun town in Chakwal and another in Mandra town of Gujar Khan, which was damaged in a storm.

He revealed that he had also been assigned the task of shifting another Banyan tree onthe premises of the education department in Lahore in the coming week.

He stressed the need for planting more Peepal and Banyan trees.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2024