Telangana Village Unites to Protect 75-Year-Old Peepal Tree Facing Felling

Residents of Pedda Thandrapadu village in the Rajoli mandal of Telangana’s Jogulamba Gadwal district have mounted a concerted effort to prevent the felling of an estimated 70 to 75-year-old Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) standing on private property.

What Happened

The controversy escalated after the property owner applied to the Forest Department for permission to cut down the tree, citing it as a hazard. Following the application, villagers united and submitted formal representations during a Mandal-level ‘Prajavani’ grievance programme and approached several authorities, including the local police, the Forest Range Officer, the Mandal Revenue Officer, the Mandal Parishad Development Officer, the District Collector, and the National Green Tribunal.

According to villagers, the tree originally featured a raised cement platform that served as a communal gathering place for relaxation and village meetings. However, that platform was later demolished and enclosed within a compound wall. An 85-year-old resident, Kurva China Ramudu, stated he saw the tree planted during his childhood, dating it back around 70 to 75 years. The petitioners also highlighted that branches of the tree, known locally as ‘Paala Komma’, have traditionally been used across generations in sacred rituals such as weddings, prompting their appeal for an inquiry into the land and a formal declaration of the Peepal as a ‘heritage tree’.

In response, the landowner, Jangam Bhogeshwar Rao, a government teacher, stated that his parents purchased the property during the 1960s, after which it was divided among siblings. He stated that he dismantled the cement platform and constructed the boundary wall because the open space had begun drawing drunkards and vagabonds, claiming that villagers now protesting had originally assisted in the wall’s construction. Rao attributed the current resistance to personal rivalries. While noting his willingness to fund translocation if necessary, he pointed out that the extensive root mass could threaten the structural stability of the house if such an effort were attempted.

Key Highlights

• Location: Pedda Thandrapadu village, Rajoli mandal, Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana.
• Age and Cultural Role: Estimated at 70–75 years; traditionally used for communal gatherings and wedding rituals (‘Paala Komma’).
• Land Title: Panchayat Secretary Durga Prasad verified that existing documentation confirms the site as private land, with no proposals underway for alternative land allocation.
• Forest Department Stance: Forest Range Officer Parvez Ahmed confirmed that although the Peepal tree is technically an exempted species on private land, felling permission remains withheld because of widespread community objections.

Why This Matters

Under standard regulations, Peepal trees on private property are classified as an exempted species where felling usually requires only an online submission. However, this situation demonstrates how community cultural attachment, heritage claims, and collective representations can place administrative actions on hold even when private land rights are confirmed by local revenue records.

What to Watch Next

The Forest Department has withheld approval to fell the tree in light of community opposition. Any future resolution will depend on whether administrative bodies act on requests for heritage status, whether local authorities propose land alternatives, or if the Forest Department maintains its halt on the landowner’s online felling application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is this Peepal tree located?

The tree is situated in Pedda Thandrapadu village in the Rajoli mandal of Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana.

Why are the villagers opposing the removal?

Residents consider the tree an integral part of village life, noting its historical role as a communal meeting place and its cultural importance in rituals such as weddings, where its branches (‘Paala Komma’) are used.

Why does the landowner wish to remove or enclose the tree?

Landowner Jangam Bhogeshwar Rao stated that the previous open platform attracted anti-social elements, which led him to construct a compound wall. He cited the tree as a hazard to his property.

What is the official position of the Forest Department?

Forest Range Officer Parvez Ahmed noted that while Peepal is an exempted species on private land, permission to fell it has not been granted due to widespread objections from the village community.

Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.