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Indian Express
31-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mystery of African Mahogany G20 sapling at Delhi's Nehru Park solved — it's a substitute
The tree currently standing at the site marked for Nigeria in the G20 ceremonial plantation spot at Delhi's Nehru Park is a substitute sapling — and not the original African Mahogany — government sources told The Indian Express. According to sources, the original sapling, gifted by Nigeria during India's G20 presidency in 2023, failed after being planted. Following this, sources said, the Jamun, a common Indian species, was temporarily planted to maintain the aesthetics of the ceremonial zone. Sources added that a replacement African Mahogany sapling has now been sourced and is expected to arrive in the national capital shortly. It will be planted at the designated site, replacing the current one. The clarification comes days after a post on social media platform X, by citizen-led handle DelhiTrees, flagged the tree labelled as African Mahogany as resembling a Jamun. The post received over 28 lakh views, prompting questions about how the mismatch occurred and whether due diligence was carried out. The Indian Express on July 31 had reported that officials in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which facilitated logistics for the plantation event, said that confirmation of plant species would require expert verification and that they had referred the matter to the Ministry of External Affairs, which had coordinated the drive. The ceremonial plantation, which took place in September 2023, involved planting live saplings received as gifts from G20 member countries and invited international organisations. As per government sources, some of these plants were sent to India by participating countries, while others were locally procured in mutual consultation. The selection of species was made with expert guidance to increase the survivability of saplings in Indian conditions. For plants brought from abroad, sources said, the required quarantine period was completed at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in Pusa, Delhi, before plantation. Following the Summit, the ambassadors and representatives from each country or organisation planted their respective saplings at a designated area in Nehru Park, which had been prepared in advance by horticulture officials. Sources said it was anticipated that some saplings might not survive after being planted in a new climate. To prepare for this, alternate saplings of local Indian varieties, such as mango or jamun, had been identified and kept ready. These were to be used in case of any losses, until the original species could be sourced again. According to the sources, the saplings presented by South Korea and South Africa also did not survive post-plantation. This, they said, was within expected parameters. In such cases, embassies were approached to provide suitable replacements — either from their own country or procured locally with their approval. In the interim, substitute Indian tree saplings were planted to keep the plantation site visually consistent. The South Korean Embassy has already provided a replacement of the original species, and that tree was replanted before the onset of the monsoon, sources said. The South African High Commission is also in the process of securing its replacement sapling, which will be planted once available. The G20 ceremonial plantation featured 17 trees representing participating countries and organisations, selected for their symbolism and environmental significance. These included Olive trees from Turkey, Spain and Italy; Real Yellowwood from South Africa; Silver Tree from South Korea; Date Palm from Egypt and Saudi Arabia; Teak from Indonesia; Camphor Laurel from China; and the Sausage Tree and Red Frangipani from the African Union.
Indian Express
31-07-2025
- General
- Indian Express
African Mahogany or Jamun: Doubts grow root over Nigeria's G20 Summit present
At the first glance, it isn't easy to spot the African Mahogany, presented by Nigeria during the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023, at the Nehru Park. Tucked inside a white mesh enclosure, the sapling is nearly waist-high with pale green, elongated leaves on its slender branches. A small bilingual plaque fixed behind a green fence identifies it as Khaya Senegalensis or African Mahogany, presented by Nigeria. The park itself has been a picture of monsoon calm. The lawns glisten after a light drizzle, neatly trimmed hedges line the walking paths, and several of the 17 ceremonial saplings stand protected in similar netted enclosures. But this particular sapling has now become the subject of scrutiny. On Monday, DelhiTrees, a citizen-run page on X, posted images of the sapling. The post read: 'The so called African Mahogany, planted in Nehru Park during G-20, turned out to be a Jamun.' The post has garnered over 28 lakh views since then as it suggested that a native species was planted amid a diplomatic gesture. Questions sent to the Nigerian High Commission regarding the identity of the tree did not elicit a response at the time of publication. On the claims, a senior horticulture official from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), who was associated with the G20 plantation drive, told The Indian Express: 'The sapling at the site marked as African Mahogany has been brought to our attention. At this stage, a confirmation (on its identification) is possible only after it is examined by experts.' Officials at the NDMC stressed that their role was limited to logistical support for the event. 'We prepared the space, dug pits, and ensured protection after the planting. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) coordinated the event and provided the saplings,' said the official quoted above. Another NDMC senior official, who pleaded anonymity, expressed caution, 'It is too soon to jump to conclusion. The species could be a native variety…this will be ascertained.' 'The plantation was carried out by embassy teams. If there has been a mismatch, it could be due to a communication issue. We will assist in checking the matter. So far, no other such discrepancies have been reported from that event,' the official said. Sources in the MEA said that the sapling was quarantined and presented by Nigeria. In the case of a mismatch, sources added. the responsibility would lie with the presenting country. 'We have started a probe after coming across the social media post. Documents related to the plants have been rechecked and we are in touch with the NDMC. The verification of the species will be undertaken and completed in a few days,' the source said. All foreign saplings brought for the ceremonial drive were required to clear phytosanitary inspections, in a bid to ensure they are free from pests, and were quarantined for over three months at the ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in Pusa before plantation. A Delhi-based environmentalist said, 'There is a huge difference between Jamun and African Mahogany. The Jamun tree has simple leaf arrangement and Mahogany has pinnate or compound leaves. There is no resemblance in both the species. It is likely that the officials didn't have the knowledge.' At the 2023 ceremonial drive, saplings symbolised bilateral ties and sustainability: Olive from Turkey, Spain and Italy; Real Yellowwood from South Africa; Silver Tree from South Korea; Date Palm from Egypt and Saudi Arabia; Teak from Indonesia; Camphor Laurel from China; and trees from the African Union, including the Sausage Tree and Red Frangipani. On Tuesday, when The Indian Express did a spot check, even as several saplings were found to be healthy, others showed signs of strain. The leaves of an Arjun tree donated by Canada were visibly perforated by insects. The Gular tree gifted by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), as well as the Apple HR99 variety from the Netherlands were apparently infested. The Sycamore from France, Queen's Crepe Myrtle from the US, and Weeping Willow from the UK are in similar condition. The Teak tree from Indonesia stands visibly bent. While Olive trees, among others, are carefully placed in netted enclosures, Silver Tree from South Korea, despite its cover, had holes chewed into the netting by squirrels.
