Kolkata: A first-of-its-kind collective in the city, formed to protect a tamarind tree planted over 70 years ago by freedom fighter Parul Mukherjee, managed to save it from being felled. On Saturday, the forest department officials informed the members of the collective that the builder will not chop off the tree and is also constructing a memorial to remember Mukherjee.
The Tamarind Tree collective members learnt on Saturday that the developer, Debasish Sarkar, ensured that the tree is not chopped. "There is no question of chopping the tamarind tree," he said. In recent times, the tamarind tree in Vidyasagar Colony became popular among many artists and cultural activists across India. "Parul Pishi was a respected revolutionary and member of the Anushilan Samiti and contributed to India's struggle for independence, and later devoted herself to the welfare of refugees and education in the community. Our struggle to save the tree was not possible without the constant support of Barnali Das, Madhuchhanda, Samata Biswas, Moushumi Bhowmik, Arko Mukherjee, and Akash Chakraborty. There are several other artists who performed under this tamarind tree," said cinematographer-turned-documentary maker Debalina.
Members of the Tamarind Tree Collective hosted discussions and concerts under the tree, organised neighbourhood bird walks, launched a YouTube channel called ‘Tamarind Tunes', and wrote to authorities seeking intervention to save it. Debalina directed a documentary titled ‘Jilipibalar Bondhura' featuring the tree. The documentary, which underlined the need to conserve urban greenery surrounding this tree, won a special mention at the KIFF last year.
Recently, more than 4,000 members signed an online petition, urging KMC to issue a protective order to ensure that the tamarind tree is not removed, damaged, or cut down under any redevelopment plan, create a monument of her near the tree, and install informational signage at the site detailing her historical significance and the tree's contribution to local biodiversity and identity.
"Saving a tree is a business for them. They run a YouTube channel," the developer alleged. Debalina, however, is unfazed by such scrutiny. "I knew this battle to save the green won't be easy. For me, 1 tree is not 1 life. 1 tree is a million lives. We didn't monetise the channel and shut it down too. Such allegations don't bother me," she said.
"We are often asked what can we achieve by saving only 1 tree. But saving this tree shows that change can indeed come when common people get together and take civic action in their own hands. We hope this will serve as an inspiration to people," said collective member Samata Biswas.