I knew of the Baobab tree as a massive tree somewhere in Africa, but little did I know that for most of my life in Bombay, I had been living among these gentle giants. Both the colleges that I studied in had a Baobab tree within 300 meters, but I never noticed them.
![The existence of Baobab trees can be traced back to centuries ago.](https://citizenmatters.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mumbai-baobab-zicofernandes-20214-683x1024.jpg)
This phrase displays the profound nature of the trees and their existence that has surpassed centuries.
Pic: Zico Fernandes
Originally from Madagascar, Africa, the Baobab trees are defined by their swollen base – with a girth upto 36 ft – and height – up to 98 ft – and live a remarkably long life. I was inspired to advocate for the trees in Mumbai after an article highlighted a Baobab that was attacked by miscreants in 2014, and since 2017, I’ve been discovering and documenting Baobab trees in Mumbai – through an Instagram account – and have been featured in Mid-day and Hindustan Times.
![Baobab trees play an important role in the environment and have medicinal properties.](https://citizenmatters.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mumbai-baobab-zicofernandes-20212-768x1024.jpg)
![There are several Baobab trees across the city of Mumbai.](https://citizenmatters.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mumbai-baobab-zicofernandes-20216-768x1024.jpeg)
![About 120 Baobab trees exist in Mumbai currently.](https://citizenmatters.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mumbai-baobab-zicofernandes-20213-683x1024.jpg)
![Mumbai is probably the only metropolitan city to house so many of these trees.](https://citizenmatters.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mumbai-baobab-zicofernandes-2021-768x1024.jpg)
![Citizen engagement is necessary for their survival.](https://citizenmatters.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mumbai-baobab-zicofernandes-20211-768x1024.jpg)