''Rare Religious Tree Conservation Program''

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WSO launches unique religious tree conservation in Orissa

Bhubaneswar: Concerned over alarming decrease in number of trees used

for religious purposes by the Hindus, the Wildlife Society of Orissa

(WSO) has launched a ''Rare Religious Tree Conservation Program'' in

the state.

 

WSO Secretary Biswajit Mohanty said the Society has taken up

plantation of rare species of trees whose leaves, branches or flowers

are used for religious rituals of Hindus.

 

The Society, he said, has tied up with the Senior Unit of the

National Cadet Corps (NCC), Cuttack, to implement the program.

 

Ancient Hindu rituals since the Vedic ages require the use of a

number of leaves, flowers and branches which are now difficult to

obtain due to decrease in number of these trees and plants.

 

Besides, most of these species, being found in dense forest areas,

were not easily accessible to the ordinary devotee who wishes to

conduct the rituals in the town and city, Mr Mohanty said, adding

that this has forced many devotees to carry out rituals foregoing the

use of mandatory wood, flowers and leaves.

 

Many of the tree and plant species also have valuable medicinal use

and need conservation since they are becoming increasingly rare, he

added.

 

The program, the WSO Secretary said, aimed at planting these tree and

plant species in protected enclosures within temples, schools and

colleges so that devotees would be able to acquire sufficient

quantities required for various pujas.

 

He informed that during the last planting season, 500 seedlings were

planted in the premises of various colleges in Cuttack.

 

The NCC cadets took up the plantation and have promised to look after

the seedlings to ensure that they survive.

 

The Society, Mr Mohanty said, has decided to extend this program to

other cities and towns of the state in subsequent years.

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