STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The students, research scholars and the faculty members of the Department of Botany, University of Jammu, on Sunday celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan in a unique way by tying traditional sacred and protective threads Rakhis to plants. The festivity event was organised in the picturesque Botanical Garden of the university. Sacred threads were tied by the participants to the several plants of heritage, medicinal and aesthetic value including sacred Tulsi, Temple tree (Plumeria), Camphor, Paarijaat, Chandan, Panchmikhi Rudraaksh, Timbru, Mahua, Putranjiva, Peepal, Sohanjana, Chandani and many more.
While tying Rakhis to these plants, participants expressing their love, affection and harmony towards nature and also took pledge to protect and conserve the nature and its resources for cleaner, greener and healthier prospects. Explaining the significance of such small but meaningful human gestures towards plants, Prof Yash Pal Sharma, Head, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, informed that in the present times besides strengthening the family bonds, it is increasingly imperative on our part to develop a strong relationship with the flora and fauna.
“Science has proved that the plants can also sense, feel, understand and communicate and are the saviours of humanity, therefore, let us protect them, care for them and help grow them like our own kith and kin, brothers and sisters. Plants are conscious life forms that feel, know, and are mindful,” said Prof Sharma.
Prof Namrata Sharma, Dr Geeta, Dr Sikander Pal, non teaching staff, students and research scholars of Botany Department also expressed their views on plants and environment and need for their protection by such unique ways.