State draws up 7-year plan for conservation of sacred trees

Staff Reporter

Maharashtra Government has drawn up a seven-year plan for conservation of sacred or highly useful trees and also the plants of which leaves and flowers are used by devotees to offer to deities at pilgrimage places. The plan also includes establishing ‘Amrut Van Udyan’ in 75 urban centres in the State. All these three initiatives mark the 75th anniversary India’s Independence from the British rule.

As per the official communication issued by Revenue and Forest Department in this regard, these three initiatives have been named ‘Panchayatan Van Udyan’, ‘Amrut Van Udyan’, and ‘Bel Van Udyan’. Under the ‘Panchayatan Van Udyan’ initiative, six trees treated as sacred or highly useful in India will be planted in 25 villages in each district of Maharashtra. These trees include Wad/Wat (Banyan), Peepal (Sacred Fig), Umbar (Cluster Fig), Bel (Indian Bael), Neem, Desi Amba (Mango). The villages that have won Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vanashree Puraskar, Sant Tukaram Van Gram Puraskar, Nirmal Gram Puraskar, Sant Gadgebaba Gram Puraskar will get priority for the implementation of the scheme. The villages that apply voluntarily, villages near MIDC area, or villages where environment conservation organisations volunteer for the initiative, also will be eligible for the scheme. For the purpose, 0.5-1 hectare of land will be required. ‘Amrut Van Udyan’ are proposed to be set up in 75 urban centres in the State. Each of these parks will be developed in 1-5 hectares of land. The tree/plant species native to Maharashtra, trees/plants/climbers having medicinal values, ‘Dashmool Vanaspati’ (10 Ayurvedicmedicinal herbs) will be planted in ‘Amrut Van Udyan’. Though the list of 75 urban centres is yet to be finalized, it may cover all major urban centres and second most important urban areas in each

district. ‘Bel Van Udyan’ focuses on conservation of Bel tree, which has been declared as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Accordingy, Forest Department has taken the initiative of developing ‘Bel Van Udyan’ at 75 pilgrim places in Maharashtra. These parks will have not only Bel trees but also culturally important trees/plants like Sita Ashok (Saraca asoca), Rudraksh (Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb), Ber (Indian jujube), Palash (Butea monosperma), Parijat (also referred to as Night-flowering Jasmine), White Chafa (Champak or White Frangipani), White Kanher (White Oleandar), White Dhatura (White Thorn-Apple or Jimsonweed), and Swastik (Crape Jasmine) flower plants. Each of these parks is proposed to be developed on 1-2.5 acres of land.

In case of ‘Panchayatan Van Udyan’ and ‘Bel Van Udyan’, after the passage of seven years (2023-24 to 2029-30), during which Forest Department will look after the plants/trees, some facilities will be developed for the visitors. These include natural mounds, tree logs, ‘Pradakshina Path’ (circular path around sacred place/tree), pathways etc. In case of ‘Amrut Van Udyan’ in urban centres, various measures like landscaping, QR code leading to information regarding trees in the park, pagoda, observation tower, pathway, herbal garden, nursery, walking track, nature trail etc will be developed once the period of seven years is over. If these parks are being developed on non-forest lands, those will be handed over to Forest Department. For seven years, Forest Department shall take care of the parks. After that, if parks have been developed on land of local self-government body/voluntary organization/corporation, the Department shall give the possession of the park after securing affidavit regarding maintenance of the park.