What happened: villagers contest felling of a peepal tree and seek heritage protection

Residents of Pedda Thandrapadu village in Jogulamba Gadwal district opposed plans to fell a peepal tree located inside private property. The dispute centres on villagers’ claims about the peepal tree’s social and ritual role and the landowner’s claims about safety, boundary changes, and feasibility of alternatives to felling.

Villagers’ claims and grievance actions

Villagers claim that a cement platform once surrounded the peepal tree and was historically used for relaxation and village meetings. Villagers claim that the cement platform was later demolished and replaced by a compound wall enclosing the peepal tree.

Villagers also claim that the peepal tree was then encroached upon illegally. Villagers approached authorities through the mandal-level “Prajavani” programme. Villagers submitted representations seeking protection for the peepal tree and later asked multiple authorities to stop felling.

Villagers argue that the peepal tree is part of village life and is used for rituals, including weddings, and they mention use of a sacred branch called Paala Komma. Villagers seek recognition of the peepal tree as a heritage tree. A villager is quoted as saying the peepal tree was planted in childhood, suggesting the tree is around 70–75 years old.

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