Following the scriptures of Ramayana, the government of Uttar Pradesh is onto plant 30 crore saplings this year. The plan is to create ‘Ramayan Van’ (forest) at multiple locations in the state.
The government is keen on planting trees that find mention in holy books and astrological, mythological, and ayurvedic scriptures.
Forests which find mention in scriptures like Shringaar Van, Tamaal Van, Rasaal Van, Champak Van, Chandan Van, Ashok Van, Anang Van, Vichitra Van, and Vihaar Van will also be recreated.
In the initial phase, a few areas in western Uttar Pradesh have been identified to create these mini-forests.
“The proposal would be finalized soon. The forest department has already identified 88 tree species that find mention in Valmiki’s Ramayana. The list includes the scientific names of the species as well. Some of these are Priyangu, Bakul, Indugi, Varan, Tinish, Dhaaman, Saalai, Neevaar, Ankol, Bhilawa, Garjan, Paatal, Karajj, Hintaal, Ranjak, Padmak, Bandhu-jeev, Kurant, Katak, Muchkund, Kutaj and Sarj,” informed Mukesh Kumar, the Chief Conservator of forests to News 18.
The Yogi Adityanath Government aims to increase awareness about trees and develop a connection between trees and the public.
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More than 3.5 lakh trees were planted in 2020 in Kasganj district along the Ganga river to raise ‘Bhagirathi Van’ named after one of the streams of the Ganga originating from ‘gaumukh’ in Uttarakhand. Likewise back in 2017, the state forest department had printed nine pamphlets on various forms of plantations mentioned in the Holy Scriptures.