Sat Apr 05 16:07:10 UTC 2025: ## Centuries-Old Baobab Tree in Chennai’s Egmore Museum Found Dead
**CHENNAI, April 5, 2025** – A centuries-old baobab tree at the Egmore Museum in Chennai has been discovered dead, prompting concerns about the city’s dwindling green heritage. The tree’s demise was only recently noticed by the Forest Department during a survey to identify heritage trees.
T.D. Babu, a trustee of the tree conservation NGO Nizhal, revealed the shocking discovery. The baobab, capable of living for a thousand years, succumbed to factors including garbage dumping around its base and prolonged moisture, leading to fungal infection. While the main tree is beyond saving, some of its discarded branches show signs of life and may potentially be propagated.
The Forest Department, working with Nizhal, is undertaking a city-wide initiative to officially designate and protect heritage trees. This initiative, according to Babu, is a crucial step in safeguarding Chennai’s remaining green spaces. The incident highlights a wider problem of unnoticed tree loss due to negligence and a lack of awareness, prompting calls for greater civic responsibility and environmental awareness.
First Piper 