November 8, 2002	Friday	Ramazan 2,1423

NEW DELHI, Nov 7: The Mahabodhi tree in the eastern Indian city of Bodhgaya, believed to be an offshoot of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, is facing destruction.

The tree, believed to have grown from the branch of the original tree, is revered by Buddhists worldwide, the Asian Age newspaper said.

The paper said the UNESCO has written to the Indian government to find a solution.

A spokesperson for the Centre of Science and Environment, a Delhi-based organization, said they had asked a few activists of the centre to photograph and document the attack by bugs and subsequent decaying of the tree.

“After the entire process is over, we will see if scientists could be asked to research and find a permanent solution.”—dpa