`Marri chettu mana chettu': `Save Chevella Banyans' padyatra concludes; yatries to wage legal fight

Hyderabad: The 200-km padayatra to save the Chevella Banyans concluded at Manneguda on January 8.

Led by environmentalist Desam Koam Prakash, the yatra was joined by `Nature Lovers of Hyderabad', cycling groups from the city, and the general public.

The concluding event was held at Skyway Café on Chevella Road. It was attended by about 70 people. "I thank everyone who has joined me and encouraged me on this padayatra. I urge NHAI and the relevant government bodies to take note of our petitions and step in to save the trees," said Prakash, who was felicitated at the event,

"It is our responsibility to save our natural heritage, including our trees, and pass it on to future generations. I was encouraged and supported by several nature lovers from the moment I started this padayatra. Together, we must redouble our efforts to save the Chevella Banyans."

Members of the group spoke about the campaign. They read out poems and everyone took a pledge to support nature. Members recited `Hum honge kaamyaab' to boost the morale of the people.

Bicycle Mayor Santhana Selvan also spoke on the occasion. He hailed Nature Lovers of Hyderabad (NLH) and assured his full support.

Manneguda, where the padayatra ended, marks the last point in NHAI's current highway expansion plans on NH-163. The NLH said that the road expansion could endanger nearly 1000 Banyans, many of them over a century old.

Led by Prakash, the padayatra started from Warangal on January 2. It was flagged off by Telangana litterateurs Ampasayya' Naveen and Nagilla Rama Sastry among others. People from all walks of life joined Prakash at different locations to hold up the green banners.

The yatries urged NHAI to save the Chevella Banyans and to express their solidarity. Supporters included Anvitha Reddy, mountaineer, and rock-climber from Telangana, who had recently scaled Mount Everest. Anvitha urged everyone to take up the slogan "Marri chettu mana chettu" (Banyan tree is our tree) and make the padayatra a great success.

"We believe that it is possible to save the trees while we expand our roads and highways," said Asiya Khan, a member of the Nature Lovers of Hyderabad.

"Prakash's padayatra is an example of personal sacrifice and solidarity to the trees that we hope will move key decision-makers to make right their current expansion plans. If Prakash and all of us succeed, our efforts will transform how we plan development projects across the country", said Tejah Balantrapu, another member of the group.

NLH is currently contesting Chevella Banyans' case in the National Green Tribunal urging NHAI to revise their plans and save the trees. The next hearing is on 11 January 2023.