At the first glance, it isn’t easy to spot the African Mahogany, presented by Nigeria during the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023, at the Nehru Park. Tucked inside a white mesh enclosure, the sapling is nearly waist-high with pale green, elongated leaves on its slender branches. A small bilingual plaque fixed behind a green fence identifies it as Khaya Senegalensis or African Mahogany, presented by Nigeria.
The park itself has been a picture of monsoon calm. The lawns glisten after a light drizzle, neatly trimmed hedges line the walking paths, and several of the 17 ceremonial saplings stand protected in similar netted enclosures. But this particular sapling has now become the subject of scrutiny.
On Monday, DelhiTrees, a citizen-run page on X, posted images of the sapling. The post read: “The so called African Mahogany, planted in Nehru Park during G-20, turned out to be a Jamun.” The post has garnered over 28 lakh views since then as it suggested that a native species was planted amid a diplomatic gesture.
Questions sent to the Nigerian High Commission regarding the identity of the tree did not elicit a response at the time of publication.
On the claims, a senior horticulture official from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), who was associated with the G20 plantation drive, told The Indian Express: “The sapling at the site marked as African Mahogany has been brought to our attention. At this stage, a confirmation (on its identification) is possible only after it is examined by experts.”
Officials at the NDMC stressed that their role was limited to logistical support for the event. “We prepared the space, dug pits, and ensured protection after the planting. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) coordinated the event and provided the saplings,” said the official quoted above.
Another NDMC senior official, who pleaded anonymity, expressed caution, “It is too soon to jump to conclusion. The species could be a native variety…this will be ascertained.”
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“The plantation was carried out by embassy teams. If there has been a mismatch, it could be due to a communication issue. We will assist in checking the matter. So far, no other such discrepancies have been reported from that event,” the official said.
Sources in the MEA said that the sapling was quarantined and presented by Nigeria. In the case of a mismatch, sources added. the responsibility would lie with the presenting country. “We have started a probe after coming across the social media post. Documents related to the plants have been rechecked and we are in touch with the NDMC. The verification of the species will be undertaken and completed in a few days,” the source said.
All foreign saplings brought for the ceremonial drive were required to clear phytosanitary inspections, in a bid to ensure they are free from pests, and were quarantined for over three months at the ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in Pusa before plantation.
A Delhi-based environmentalist said, “There is a huge difference between Jamun and African Mahogany. The Jamun tree has simple leaf arrangement and Mahogany has pinnate or compound leaves. There is no resemblance in both the species. It is likely that the officials didn’t have the knowledge.”
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At the 2023 ceremonial drive, saplings symbolised bilateral ties and sustainability: Olive from Turkey, Spain and Italy; Real Yellowwood from South Africa; Silver Tree from South Korea; Date Palm from Egypt and Saudi Arabia; Teak from Indonesia; Camphor Laurel from China; and trees from the African Union, including the Sausage Tree and Red Frangipani.
On Tuesday, when The Indian Express did a spot check, even as several saplings were found to be healthy, others showed signs of strain.
The leaves of an Arjun tree donated by Canada were visibly perforated by insects. The Gular tree gifted by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), as well as the Apple HR99 variety from the Netherlands were apparently infested. The Sycamore from France, Queen’s Crepe Myrtle from the US, and Weeping Willow from the UK are in similar condition. The Teak tree from Indonesia stands visibly bent.
While Olive trees, among others, are carefully placed in netted enclosures, Silver Tree from South Korea, despite its cover, had holes chewed into the netting by squirrels.
