Cry, the beloved mighty banyans of Chevella

Honouring the deep-rooted history of these ancient trees, Save the Banyans of Chevella’s campaign calls for active support in protecting them from being axed

A six-footer looks like a dwarf beside a towering Banyan tree.

Along the Hyderabad-Chevella highway (20 kilometre stretch), the gigantic trees are easily the size of the city’s Metro Rail pillars. Under their shade locals sell toddy, coal-roasted corn or seasonal fruits , using the intertwined roots to secure everything from paper notes to bottles, blades and brooms. The sturdy aerial roots make for a beautiful, dramatic setting.

Over 100 years old, these trees offer a welcome respite from the heat. This two-lane highway has close to 1,176 banyan trees, which makes for a memorable scene, especially during the monsoon. Now the stretch is attracting more attention than ever before.