FORREST - Forest Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability Trust

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FORREST - Forest Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability Trust FORREST is committed to work untiringly towards biodiversity conservation, ecosystem connectivity and integrated ecosystem management.

FORREST was born in OCT 2015.It has been registered as a not-for-profit organization under Societies Registration Act 1860. FORREST work focuses on-
• Forest Conservation activities
• Biodiversity conservation
• Social forestry
• Finding solutions for human wildlife conflict
• Water conservation
• Tribal welfare
• Exploring sustainable livelihood options

06/06/2026

The tree of Tule in Oaxaca, Mexico, is the tree with the largest trunk diameter in the world. It's circumference reaches almost 60 meters and has a height of 42 meters. It's approximate age is 2,000 years.

Photo: Ernesto Murguia

And here is the final entry for FORREST's Tree of the Year 2026. Savior of more than 150 lives!Entry by Mohan Pargaien ...
06/06/2026

And here is the final entry for FORREST's Tree of the Year 2026. Savior of more than 150 lives!

Entry by Mohan Pargaien IFS
Tree Name : Tamarind
Botanical Name: Tamarindus Indica
Location: Hyderabad Osmania hospital

About this tree -

"The centuries-old "Great Tamarind Tree" at the ⁠Osmania General Hospital in Afzalgunj is a celebrated living monument. During the devastating Musi River floods of September 1908, when floodwaters submerged the area, desperate residents climbed into its sturdy branches and held on until the waters receded, saving over 150 lives"

A strong contender for Tree of the Year!

A sacred Peepal tree from Lucknow.Entry by Nikhil Shukla Here is a note by him on this tree - "I hereby submit the nomin...
04/06/2026

A sacred Peepal tree from Lucknow.

Entry by Nikhil Shukla

Here is a note by him on this tree -

"I hereby submit the nomination of the Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) as my entry for the “Tree of the Year 2026 Contest.”

The tree fulfills all the criteria of being an old, iconic, culturally significant tree/ heritage tree, along with correct Botanical Identification and several other noteworthy attributes such as ecological importance and community relevance –
1. Old and Iconic – Known to live for centuries, often found near temples, villages and heritage sites.
2. Culturally Significant – Sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
- Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree (The Bodhi Tree).
3. Botanical Identification –
- Local Name – Peepal
- Botanical Name - Ficus religiosa
4. Description for Contest Entry –
- It is “Living Heritage” tree that connects spirituality, ecology and community.
- Ecological Importance – Provides Oxygen even at night, supports biodiversity and offers shade in Summer
- Its calming presence (Personal View).
Nikhil Shukla
PhD Scholar
Department of General Medicine
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow"

04/06/2026

Kapok tree in Abene, Senegal, Africa.
The Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a majestic, fast-growing giant that can reach up to 200 feet (60 meters) tall. It is renowned for its immense trunk, extensive buttress roots, spiny bark, and the fluffy, water-resistant fiber (kapok) found inside its seed pods.
Photo by Sven Delombarde - Big Seekers

A Neem tree from Goa. Entry by Pamela De Souza Tree Location - Vasco, GoaBotanical Neem: Azadirachta indica Common name...
31/05/2026

A Neem tree from Goa.

Entry by Pamela De Souza
Tree Location - Vasco, Goa

Botanical Neem: Azadirachta indica
Common name: Neem

Here is a poem about the tree by the participant -

"नीम का वृक्ष हरा भरा,
अवश्यदियों में अव्वल सदियों पुराना।
भारत की मिट्टी पर सोना जैसे,
खड़ा रहें नीम का पेड़ अपने जड़ों के सहारे।

कड़वे पत्ते पर लाभदायक सेहत के लिए,
फूंगस को भी यह दूर रखे।
लगे मुझे यह पेड़ प्यारा,
क्योंकि है यह पेड़ ममता और छाव से भरा।"

A lush green Bakul tree from Odisha!Entry by - Shonoti ArvindHere is why she chose this tree - "Bakul Tree (Mimusops ele...
27/05/2026

A lush green Bakul tree from Odisha!

Entry by - Shonoti Arvind

Here is why she chose this tree -

"Bakul Tree (Mimusops elengi ) is as per the ancient sages is referred as 'Gift from God'
Mostly seen in Temple compound or in big compounds. is a low maintenance care tree. It's evergreen and can as tall as 15 to 45 mts. tall

Bakul Tree trunk is hard, heavy brownish externally and brownish inside.
It spreads dense like a canopy with small tiny leaves, fragrant star shaped creamy white flowers. And is famous for retaining sweet fragrance even after the flowers get dried. Flowers bloom in flushes mostly in the evenings.
Flowers occur in April and fruits which are orange in colour.
It's so beautiful.... Dark shiny leaves and the creamy flowers. Big area coverage of shade for anyone to sit and enjoy, refresh watching the tree and also it's bloom.
It's believed to be as ancient as lord Krishna used to himself sit under its dense shadow and play flute..

It has been widely used by sages and Ayurveda now to treat Dental health and also used for fragrance soaps and oil.

I took this picture
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Sitting below this tree I truly experienced the bliss of sitting in dense green leaves canopy, shadow surrounding 360 degree, cool air flowing around. Wishing this type of plant should not be restricted to only Temples n big compounds but highway road sides and in village schools. "

Odisha Tourism

The Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) of Auroville!Entry by Dr. Kamal Gangwar Here is another on the tree - "About the tr...
22/05/2026

The Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) of Auroville!

Entry by Dr. Kamal Gangwar

Here is another on the tree -

"About the tree: Now over 100 years old, its canopy is maintained at about 50 meters in diameter to balance with the Matrimandir. That works out to roughly 1,960 square meters, or about 0.48 acres of area covered by the canopy. It is trimmed to harmonize with the Matrimandir. The first and still most sacred tree, it remains the symbol of a “City at the Service of Truth."

Location: This Banyan Tree is located at the center of Auroville, Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu, with some parts in the Union Territory of Puducherry, near East Cost of India.

History: The Auroville Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) is the geographical and spiritual center of Auroville, chosen by The Mother in 1965 when architect Roger Anger found it on a barren plateau she marked on a map. A sacred Ficus benghalensis, it shaded Auroville’s 1968 inauguration where 5,000 people gathered and soil from 114 countries was placed nearby.It is an is an experimental "universal township" founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa ("the Mother") to promote human unity, peace, and sustainable living beyond politics and nationality. Endorsed by UNESCO, this thriving community of over 3,000 residents from 195 nations features the Matrimandir at its center."

A Tall Palmyra tree with winged residents! Entry by Deepali Gangwar from Gurgaon. Tree name: Palmyra PalmScientific name...
18/05/2026

A Tall Palmyra tree with winged residents!

Entry by Deepali Gangwar
from Gurgaon.

Tree name: Palmyra Palm
Scientific name: Borassus flabellifer
Tree Location - Cuddalore

Location: Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.

Here is a note on the tree -

"The Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer) is native to South and Southeast Asia and is known for its tall, thick, robust trunk, up to 30 meters and large, fan-shaped leaves.
The hanging pouch-like structures on the tree are nests woven from grass and leaves, primarily by male Baya Weaver birds (Ploceus philippinus). These birds typically build their nests in colonies on trees near water or rice fields, hanging them over water to protect them from predators.
Location:
I captured a moment featuring Baya /Weaver bird (Ploceus philippinus)nests hanging from a Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) near Kuttiankuppam Village in Cuddalore Block, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India. The village lies 2 km west of Cuddalore town and 180 km from the state capital, Chennai. It is located near the border between Cuddalore District and Puducherry District.
Importance of this tree:
The Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer) is the state tree of Tamil Nadu, commonly known as the Palm tree. Deeply integrated into Tamil culture, it is valued for its ecological benefits, including groundwater recharge, water conservation, and providing food and shelter for wildlife. Its climate resilience is well recognized. Often called the “Tree of Life,” it has extensive uses in construction, handicrafts, and food products like palm jaggery. "

A huge Silk Cotton tree from Kognoli, Karnataka.Entry by Neha Singh Botanical Name - Bombax ciebaHere is what she has to...
15/05/2026

A huge Silk Cotton tree from Kognoli, Karnataka.

Entry by Neha Singh

Botanical Name - Bombax cieba

Here is what she has to say about this tree -
"We met this an imposing, crowning Bombax ceiba on the way to Goa.
Bombax ceiba known as “Semal’ or ““Silk cotton tree” can grow to a towering height of 30 m and more. And this specimen was showing it off.
Bombax is a pioneer species and excellent for restoring degraded lands.
Pink flowers of bombax are edible and birds and squirrels love eating it too.
In those long summer afternoons of our childhood, we used to chase the drifting Semal cotton, white clouds flying with the hot winds and used to eat bombax ceiba seeds. These seeds are delicious when roasted.
Even now, when the Semal blooms, it reminds me the flavor of those simple wild days "

A beautiful Seeta Ashok tree from Kerala!Entry for FORREST's tree of the Year 2026 by Prachi Pawar. Botanical name- Sara...
08/05/2026

A beautiful Seeta Ashok tree from Kerala!

Entry for FORREST's tree of the Year 2026 by Prachi Pawar.

Botanical name- Saraca asoca
Location- Thrissur, Kerala

Here is what she has to say about this tree -

"This is Saraca asoca tree, commonly known as the "Sita ashok". It is evergreen tree, native to the Indian subcontinent, Known for its lush foliage and vibrant, fragrant blossoms. It is highly admired in Hindu and Buddhist traditions and is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine particularly for women's health.
The flower of Sita Ashoka tree is the state flower of Indian state of Odisha. Flowering season is around February to April.
This small tree has become threatened in some parts of its range mainly because of the loss of its habitat and overexploitation for medicinal use. It is classified as *'Near Threatened' * in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species."

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