Friends Gather Under a 140‑Year‑Old Banyan to Celebrate Friendship Day with Trees

It was a warm afternoon on Railway Station Road in Dondaparthy when a modest crowd assembled under the sprawling canopy of a banyan tree that locals estimate to be about 140 years old. The occasion? Friendship Day – but this year the celebration took a leafy turn.

The Green Climate Team, a non‑governmental outfit dedicated to environmental protection, teamed up with Vanamali, CTG, the Institute of Indian Avian Migration (IIAM), ActionAid and Rotary Couples to host a tree‑conservation programme. Participants began by offering prayers to the ancient tree, acknowledging not just a friendship among people but also a bond with nature.

J.V. Ratnam, the founder‑secretary of the Green Climate Team, explained that the event was part of a larger “Vriksha Bandhan” (tree‑bonding) campaign that will run through August 28. “We want to distribute seed rakhis, organise more planting drives and even look after existing palm groves,” he said, his voice tinged with optimism.

Vanamali’s CTG administrator, Malla Saritha, reminded everyone that the Bishnoi community has long been a guardian of trees. “Their tradition shows why we must protect forests – it’s not just about trees, it’s about our future,” she urged.

Students from IIAM, led by Professor Varalakshmi, pledged to join the Vriksha Bandhan activities, hoping to raise awareness about climate change among their peers. “Every sapling we plant is a step toward a cooler, greener city,” the professor noted.

The gathering was more than symbolic. Volunteers scattered native seedlings around the banyan’s roots, and a few couples tied colored ribbons—small “seed rakhis”—to its branches as a promise to nurture the environment. Laughter mixed with the rustle of leaves, creating a convivial atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of friendship.

By the time the sun dipped behind the skyline, the banyan stood witness to a renewed commitment: to cherish not only human bonds but also the living network that sustains us all.