Centuries-old baobabs get fresh roots in Chengicherla forest
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Forest officials are now planning to translocate the saplings to a secure, isolated section of the forest. "They will be replanted and nurtured to form the core of what is set to become India's first dedicated Baobab Park. To ensure their survival, we are also consulting independent experts to design a conservation plan tailored to the slow-growing, drought-resistant species," said Sharat Chandra Reddy, forest range officer at the Chengicherla forest.
The discovery was made during a field visit led by forest officials when one of the four baobabs in the area was felled due to pest infestation. "We were also accompanied by independent researchers specialising in baobab ecology. The saplings were found clustered around three massive, centuries-old baobabs, raising hopes that these iconic trees could be cultivated and sustained locally without relying solely on transplants," Reddy added.
Hyderabad's baobabs—known for their bulbous trunks and extraordinary longevity—are under growing threat from age, environmental stress, and urban development, say tree experts. A recent survey by a local nature group documented 37 African baobab trees scattered across the city. The number includes a group of seven trees in the Aramghar area, with two of them inside the Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom and three inside the Zilla Parishad High School in Aramghar, with one of them having a girth of approximately 45 feet.
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"This underscores both their fragile survival and their cultural significance in the urban landscape. If realised, the Chengicherla Baobab Park could become a one-of-a-kind ecological and cultural landmark, linking Hyderabad's past with a greener, more sustainable future," said Uday Krishna, an environmentalist from the city who wrote to the district forest officer of Medchal-Malkajgiri district urging conservation of the remaining baobabs.
The idea of a Baobab Park at Chengicherla is not new. "Some years ago, actor Nagarjuna donated Rs 1 crore towards its development. However, only an ornamental entrance gate was built, and no further infrastructure materialised. But this new natural regeneration will provide the momentum needed to revive the stalled project. This is a pivotal opportunity, not just to preserve these heritage trees, but to cultivate their future population as a living legacy," said the forest beat officer of the forest.
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