STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: With a view to know, adore, respect and nurture tree compassion, 534th Rakhi Tying Tree Talk was hosted in Rani Park here on Monday wherein morning walkers, tree lovers, Ayurvedic experts, botany teachers and elders joined hands to tie protection threads around culturally and medicinally important trees like Jiyopota, Peepal, Gulcheen, Chinar, Madhvi Lata, Bel, Goolar, Chandni, Amla and Panjtara.
Tree Talk Founder and field Taxonomist O.P Sharma Vidyarthi while highlighting significance of Indian trees reflected age old tree traditions and inclusion in holy Vedas, Puranas, scriptures reflected age old wisdom of forefathers in the reverence and conservation of significant trees. Jiyopota Ghat linked to Putrjeevak, Child Life Tree Putranjiva Roxburghii, Parijat is linked to Sagar Manthan and Dwapar Yug, Peepal considered as incarnation of Vishnu, Arjun wood strength is like iron and symbolises great warrior Arjuna, Sita Ashok is a revered tree under it’s canopy Hanuman met Sita in exile, Trifla is medicinal powder derived from three Myrobalans Amla, Harad, Baheda, fig trees like Anjeer, Goolar, Bargad are also keystone species in the rain forests and also linked to Indian culture and way of life. Tying threads of faith and protection is to acknowledge ecological, economical and social cum cultural significance of trees, shrubs and climbers seen growing around human habitations.
Dr Taran Singh Superintendant Government Ayurvedic Hospital dwelt at length origin of Ayurveda, plants of Dasmoola used in Ayurvedic formulations. Tree Talk interactive sessions are very educative and we need to encourage our children, school college students to participate in such events wholeheartedly.
Shashikant Lakhan Pal Botany Lecturer in Sri Ranbir Higher Secondary School shared that he has pioneered herbal garden in the heritage school which was inaugurated by Governor of Jammu and Kashmir recently. Aromatic and medicinal plants included in the school herbal garden are Lemon Grass, Dyer’s Weed, Heena, Adrak, Haridra, Ghee Kunwar, Bhi Amla, Tulsi.
Manjit Singh Social Activist while detailing his individual contribution in monsoon planting around Wazarat Road and Peer Kho highlighted that it is for the first time that during 68th Vanmahotsav large scale planting of Bargad, Peepal, Chinar, Neem Chameli, Neem, Lachar, Arjun, Amla, Harad, Baheda, Jiyopota, Bael is seen all along National Highway from Kathua to Udhampur.
Revenue Officer S.S Ishar, Naseeb Bhagat and Ashok Sharma also shared valuable inputs on age old tree reverence and need for tree planting of those species which have link to our culture, religious rituals and AYUSH innovations.
