Dodda Aalada Mara, a 400-year-old banyan tree near Bengaluru

Dodda Aalada Mara, a banyan tree on the outskirts of Bengaluru, is more than 400 years old and covers nearly three acres. Its branches grow roots that develop into new trunks, which then produce further branches. The tree continues to expand from the place where it first took root. The feature uses the tree’s growth as a comparison for Bengaluru’s expansion.

Notable Points

• Dodda Alada Mara: Dodda Alada Mara is a single banyan plant covering about three acres in Kethohalli, Bengaluru Urban district. It is named a heritage tree.
• Tree-site development: In 2020, Karnataka spent ₹1.5 crore on amenities at the Dodda Alada Mara site, including ₹1 crore for tree development. In 2022, the Big Banyan Tree Committee suggested treatment for arbuscular mycorrhiza and acquiring another 2.5 acres for the tree’s growth.