A monumental banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) located on the Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) campus in Munger, Bihar, has been identified as one of the world's oldest scientifically dated living trees, with its age estimated at around 700 years through radiocarbon dating.
Discovery and Survey
The discovery followed a survey conducted by the Bihar Biodiversity Board in 2022, which examined 32 ancient trees across the state. Three trees from Munger, including the banyan, were selected for detailed study. Researchers from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, including Trina Bose, Mayank Shekhar, Akhilesh Kumar Yadav, and Avneesh Mishra, collected samples from the trunk and dried aerial roots for analysis. The radiocarbon dating established the tree's age at nearly seven centuries.
Challenges in Dating
Speaking to this newspaper on Thursday, Bose said the study was undertaken at the initiative of the forest department. “Scientific age dating of large Ficus species is highly challenging. Because these trees form complex root systems and drop aerial prop roots that grow into independent trunks, counting standard tree rings is ineffective. Hence, radio-dating method was applied to ascertain its exact age,” she explained.
“The study refines radiocarbon dating approaches for tropical hardwoods by emphasizing precise pith targeting, a method rarely applied due to indistinct growth-ring boundaries. By integrating advanced calibration techniques, the study enhances chronological accuracy and improves understanding of the longevity and significance of heritage trees and tropical forest ecosystems,” she added.
Tree Characteristics and Survival
Spread across about 100 square metres and standing nearly 60 feet tall, the banyan has developed hundreds of aerial roots that have grown into supporting trunks over the centuries. It has also survived major events, including the 1934 earthquake. Divisional forest officer A K Mall said the process to declare the tree a heritage tree and ensure its scientific conservation has begun. “With its age, scale and resilience, the tree has become a prominent natural landmark in Munger and is expected to serve as an enduring symbol of the district’s ecological legacy for generations to come,” Mall said.
Scientific and Cultural Significance
BSIP director Mahesh G Thakkar described the banyan as a living archive of Indian civilisation and culture, highlighting the importance of combining scientific research with heritage conservation. The tree's age and resilience make it a significant natural landmark, and efforts are underway to preserve it for future generations.
