Current Affairs - State - Discussion

Bihar is home to the world's oldest accurately dated banyan tree, located in Munger and estimated to be around 700 years old. Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, determined its age using radiocarbon dating of wood samples analysed through Accelerator Mass Spectrometry. The research confirmed that the tree predates nearby historical structures and is a surviving remnant of an ancient natural forest. The findings, published in the international journal Quaternary Research, represent a significant achievement in botanical and environmental research, as banyan trees lack annual growth rings, making age determination particularly challenging.