PANJIM, March 4 -- Team Herald

Despite vehement protests by environmentalists, the 200-year-old banyan tree, which was felled for the ongoing Smart City works at St Inez and translocated twice at the premises of football ground at Campal, in April last year, is nearing its end with its trunk rendered almost 'dead'.

However, a ray of hope has emerged as new spouts are coming out from tree's roots, indicating the beginning of new life. However, it will be decades before the shoots grow - if at all - to give the tree its majestic presence back.

Landscape expert Daniel D'Souza said, "This banyan tree was brought in good faith from St Inez to Campal and planted. However, when the authorities realised that a temple was coming up there they c...