The city of Bengaluru often masked under traffic and overcrowdingis also home to hidden treasures of greenery. One such space is located just about 40 km from the heart of the city in Devanahalli taluk. There stand more than 300 majestic tamarind trees that are at least 300-400 years old at the “Nallur Tamarind Grove”. Though the place hasn’t attracted much attention to the city dwellers, it stands twisted and proud in its own heritage.

These tamarind trees are spread over about 54 acres and definitely have a personality of their own! What makes them so unique is that the trees here have developed prop roots that’s unlikely for tamarind species. Saplings have been observed emerging as offshoots from the mother trees that hasn’t been observed or documented anywhere till date. A lesser known fact is that the Nallur tamarind grove was also declared as India’s first “Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)” back in 2007 by the Government of Karnataka. A proof to this is just an old board hanging at the entrance and nothing else

Cultural heritage

The grove is also home to cultural heritage dating back to the Chola period of the 13^thcentaury with the evidence being a temple for the local deity or ‘graama devathe’ called ‘Gangamma’ who is believed to be the guardian of the sacred grove.

Another architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava or Krishna is within the grove but with a closer look, one can observe that the Krishna temple stands only in remains covered by weeds. Lantana and other invasive species are slowly swallowing the uniqueness of the grove.

Over grazing, littering, alcohol consumption, etc have posed as social issues to the localities with only one guard in place to overlook 54 acres of land. There is urgent need for fencing and demarcation of the grove and revamping of the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC).

The survival of the grove is just hanging by a thread owing to the cultural reverence that the sacred grove must be protected along with the local deity to avoid an evil curse and that the tamarind fruits serve as an additional income during the fruiting season.

The formula to turn this place from a name sake heritage site to a functioning socio-ecological system is by bringing inclusivity. Brining in awareness of the site, identifying benefits for locals, improving dialogue could result in community led conservation. Both local and Government stakeholders must come together to conserve this rare green space of a bustling city.

How to reach there?

Distance from Bangalore:  40 km. Davanahally-Hoskote road.