Meet Hyderabad's Uday Krishna, Who Is On A 40,000 Km Quest To Document India's Oldest & Biggest Trees
A peepal tree in Haryana is said to have witnessed the nearly 5000-year-old Mahabharata war. In Kanpur, a banyan tree stood witness to the hanging of 144 freedom fighters. Another tree, large enough to hide 40 thieves during daylight, has its own story to tell.?
Trees have observed history unfold and will continue to witness the future.?And Uday Krishna is on a mission to document all things trees.
A Big Tree Quest
55-year-old Uday Krishna is on a 'Big Tree Quest' across India.?
His journey will span a whopping 40,000 kilometers, aiming to document India's oldest and largest trees, each with its own fascinating history.?
Beginning his expedition in January, he has already covered Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.
His ambitious plans include visiting all 28 states and union territories, as well as extending his exploration to Fiji and Sri Lanka.?
Emphasising his mission, he expressed his intention to approach the government upon completing his documentation of ancient trees, advocating for their preservation as heritage trees.
Uday Krishna is also the co-founder of the VATA Foundation, which has been actively involved in transplanting trees to safeguard Hyderabad's greenery since 2015.
How the quest began
After selling an eco-resort he managed in the Tipeshwar forests, Uday Krishna found himself on a break when he decided to visit the world's oldest 10 trees.?
As he delved into research, he stumbled upon numerous trees across India with intriguing histories and anecdotes.?
This led him to alter his plans, aiming to visit at least one of the oldest or largest trees in each state, as Uday Krishna revealed to The Hindu.
Stories of captivating trees
Speaking about his travels to The Hans India, he shares about certain fascinating trees.
One such tree is Pillalamarri, the oldest tree in Telangana located in Mahabubnagar. This 800-year-old tree holds a captivating history. Although it once covered four acres, it has since fallen, yet its roots persist. Described by locals as immense, it resembles a green hill from a distance.?
Another remarkable tree stands at Osmania Hospital, credited with saving 150 people during floods.?
Equally captivating is the Big Banyan at Akkalkot Maharashtra,?where Shri Swami Samarth of Akkalkot sat for 22 years starting from 1856, eventually achieving enlightenment.
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