BENGALURU: A huge tree on Bannerghatta Road which was standing in the way of the Metro project has found new life, thanks to the efforts of environmentalists citizen groups and the authorities. The peepal tree , weighing over 30 tonnes and aged over 60, has been transplanted to Arekere lake bed The tree, which was along the Gottigere-Nagawara Metro line alignment, has escaped the axe. Efforts are on to translocate a 30-tonne banyan tree — also 60 years old — as well.Residents and environmentalists resorted to crowdfunding to facilitate the translocation. Environmentalist Vijay Nishanth said the peepal tree was pruned and carefully removed. “On Saturday night, we decided to transplant the tree and required equipment, including JCBs, to carry out the exercise. We had the backing of local residents,” he added.Vijay said on Monday, they were able to lift the tree and place it on trailers. “It was taken to Arekere lake bed around 5pm, where a huge pit had been dug to replant it. We rushed back to the spot at 3am and decided to translocate the banyan tree too. But we couldn’t as the JCB controller didn’t know how to operate it,” added Nishanth.On Tuesday morning, residents got help from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, Simplex Infrastructure (which provided cranes and earthmovers), BBMP’s forest cell, police staff and Divyasree Chambers.“We resumed the exercise on Tuesday evening. However, the tree got stuck at Vega City Mall Junction on JP Road as the stretch is narrow. It will be transplanted on Wednesday night depending on traffic conditions,” he added.

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