Fri Jan 02 23:56:00 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Residents of a South Kolkata neighborhood are campaigning to save a large, historic tamarind tree planted 70 years ago by freedom fighter Parul Mukherjee. They fear the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) might allow the tree to be cut down due to redevelopment, despite its historical and ecological significance. A documentary highlighting the tree’s biodiversity was recently showcased at a film festival. The campaign includes a petition with thousands of signatures, urging the KMC to protect the tree, erect a memorial to Parul Mukherjee, and install informative signage. Concerns were amplified after another tree in the area was recently felled for a lamppost replacement.
News Article:
Historic Tamarind Tree Sparks Preservation Battle in Kolkata
Kolkata, January 3, 2026 – A battle is brewing in a South Kolkata neighborhood as residents and activists rally to save a massive tamarind tree, a living landmark planted nearly seven decades ago by freedom fighter Parul Mukherjee. A signature campaign is underway, urging the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to officially protect the tree from potential demolition due to ongoing redevelopment in the area.
Parul Mukherjee, a revolutionary convicted in the 1935 Titagarh conspiracy case, planted the tree after moving to Vidyasagar Colony following India’s independence. The tree not only serves as a habitat for diverse bird species but also holds significant historical value.
Filmmaker Debalina Majumder, who lives in the neighborhood, has documented the tree’s biodiversity in a film titled “Friends of Jilipibala,” which recently premiered at the Kolkata International Film Festival. “This tree is an icon of urban biodiversity, and we’ve been petitioning officials for over a year to secure its protected status,” Majumder told The Hindu.
The movement to save the tree began in July 2024 when redevelopment threatened its existence. Concerns resurfaced last month after another tree on public land was cut down to make way for a lamppost.
The petition, which has garnered nearly 450 physical and 3,200 online signatures, calls for the KMC to issue a protective order, erect a monument to Parul Mukherjee near the tree, and install informational signage highlighting its historical importance, ecological role, and community identity.
“This tree is a symbol of resilience, shared history, and ecological harmony,” the petition states. Activists hope the KMC will act to preserve this significant landmark, honoring the past while promoting sustainable urban living.
First Piper 