Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 8th October, 2008 : SECTOR 12: THE HUGE BANYAN OF SHEHZADPURA (PUNJAB ENGINEERING COLLEGE DEEMED UNIVERSITY– PEC) Behind the college of Architecture building in PEC campus one thing no one can miss out is this centuries old BANYAN , the landmark of the village which was once brimming with life in this area, ie SHEHZADPUR.
This huge and magnificient Borr measures 7 ft in dia, has a canopy of 35 meter and its aerial roots are grounded at more than five places a little away from the main stem, and thus giving support to the heavily spreading branches. According to a few estimates the age of the tree is in the range of 250 grand years. The area around is free of construction and the tree is revered and frequented by devotees. The tree is adorned by large brass bells , red scrafs and murtis of gods.
GRANDEUR OF SHEHZADPURA :
Shehzadpur was the village which inhabited the area of PGI and PEC. Here one find a numbers of trees more than a 100 yrs of age. Although the campuses of these institutions are full of buildings and roads these trees have been well protected and clear ground area has been left around to cater to their growth. The next big landmark in PEC campus is the PEEPAL in the park of the campus of “ Commonwealth Youth Program” (CYP) center. It has a dia of 5.5 ft. and a spreading canopy of 35 m , ie: one of the largest canopies found. The tree is estimated to be 150 yrs of age. It has open ground space around to grow and is frequented by visitors who pray and frolic in its shade. Around the tree in the park are 10 more young mangoes.
TREES OF HIMALAYA HOSTEL IN THE PEC CAMPUS :
The Himalaya hostel is the main boys hostel of PEC. It is close to the CYP center described in # 17 above. The hostel premises boasts of three large trees , two Peepal and a Bargad, standing in the lawns of the hostel. Right at the front gate is a 4.5 ft. diameter PEEPAL with a canopy of 15 m, another in the backyard has a dia of 6 ft.and a canopy of 30 m. Nearby is a BARGAD which is a three in one tree,ie three trees conjoined at the stems, have a combined dia of 10 ft and a canopy of 25 m. All the three are in the range of a 100 yrs.
PEC CAMPUS :
Near the boundary wall adjoining Nayagaon is another PEEPAL measuring 5.5 ft dia and a canopy of 30 m. The tree stands in the corner of a ground and gives a majestic look to the viewer who spots it from the campus buildings about 200m away. Near the tree is coming up a BORR tree which is comparatively quite young.
PEEPAL TREES OF NORTH HOSTEL- PEC :
In the campus of the North hostel of PEC, in the open ground therein stand two beautiful PEEPAL trees of amazing beauty and design. One measures 5 ft. and spreads for 25m and another nearby (to the west) has dia of 4 ft. Both of them stand alone in the huge ground and are a sight to watch.
It is worth mentioning here that the Punjab engineering campus is one among the richest spots in the city from the Heritage trees point of view. It boasts of many open spaces and large playgrounds all dotted with these large trees. All the spots are near to each other and if a tour of all of these is taken it would make just a Km in distance. It is recommended that the campus be declared as a heritage spot and the open spaces be preserved for posterity.