Govind D Belgaumkar/The Hindu

• The tree was shifted to Ashoknagar
• Many people, organisations helped transplant the tree

Mangalore, Nov 9: It could have been reduced to a heap of firewood or some ignorable furniture in some corner.

But Mangaloreans decided 14 months back that this 40-foot-tall peepul tree shall go on absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen besides giving shelter to birds and enlivening the surroundings. Today, they are proud of the results.

Many people pass by it without realising that it is a transplanted tree. It was moved from near the gate of Canara School in Urva to Ashoknagar, a distance of 300 ft. It has been tied to the ground on three sides. That is required till the roots spread out and go deeper to balance itself.

But what should cheer everyone is the fact that there is hardly any doubt that the tree is alive and well. This 75-year-old tree has withstood one hot summer and one pleasant rainy reason and appears to be heading for a century.

“Mangaloreans love trees and animals a lot,” declares retired private firm employee Antony Monteiro. “I feel very nice about this tree every time I pass by it.” He lives close to the tree.

Dinesh Pai Katil of the city, who, along with others, saved the tree from being felled for widening the road, says tree surgeons from Chennai recently examined the tree and were optimistic about the outcome.

Mr. Pai says people and organisations had helped in different aspects of the tree transplant. Some sponsored the airfare of the tree surgeons and some arranged food for those who transplanted the tree. The Mangalore City Corporation sent its men and an earthmover.