Forest Department will celebrate World Environment Day in a very unique way

Distribution of Tulsi seedlings in urban areas to make Vadodara a Tulsi forest, Plan to give 1 lakh seedlings of holy Tulsi to the people free of cost

The Department of Social Forestry, Vadodara has planned to celebrate World Environment Day on 5th June with a unique initiative and in a very unique way.

For the first time this year, the people of Vadodara are planning to celebrate World Environment Day by distributing saplings of the holy Tulsi grown in the nurseries of the department for planting in their backyard or pots. The distribution is starting from 5th June and will continue till 5th July.

Kartik Maharaja, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry Department, said that the Tulsi plant is considered sacred and has many medicinal properties in addition to its essential presence in religious rituals. There is such a strong folk belief in this plant.

Considering the huge demand for Tulsi saplings in urban areas, this year the state government has instructed to celebrate World Environment Day by organizing Tulsi plantation in the municipal areas of the state and giving free Tulsi saplings to the people.

As a result, Vadodara seems to have decided to create a Vrinda (Tulsi) forest, and the social forestry department has planned to distribute 1 lakh Tulsi plants to the people in the municipal area. Under this celebration, government offices and industrial units will also be encouraged to plant Tulsi in available space.

Deputy Conservator of Forests said that a total of 2.50 lakh tulsi plants have been planted in the nursuries, 2 lakh under Social Forestry Department, Vadodara and 50 thousand in the nurseries of Chhotaudepur Division.

Out of which 1 lakh plants will be given to the citizens of Vadodara urban area on the occasion of World Environment Day by tree chariot as well as from the nursery. Distribution will continue until July 5th.

It will be accompanied by symbolic Tulsi planting programs. Vadodara Municipal Corporation and the administration will be involved in this program.

The remaining 1.50 lakh plants after distribution will be given to the people as part of the Forest Festival. Tulsi comes in three types Ram, Shyam and Mint. Maharaja has informed that Ram and Shyam Tulsi are grown in forest nurseries.

He has requested the people to get the basil plant from the nearest distribution point, cultivate it and help in maintaining the environment.