Pilikula Nisargadhama goes back in time for green ideas

DHNS

Mangalore, 14 April 2012: Our ancestors adopted the concept of “Banas“ and “Vedic Vanas” (sacred groves) to protect rare medicinal plants in the ancient days.

 

With concrete jungles replacing green jungles, the Pilikula Nisargadhama here, is all set to recreate the Vedic Vanas and Banas in its Herbal Garden.

 

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Pilikula Nisargadhama Executive Director J R Lobo said the concept is an attempt to bring alive the green initiative followed in the earlier times.

 

An initiative which gradually lost its purpose and significance with the passage of time. The concept will help enhance the knowledge of the future generation, who will get to know all about the sacred groves, he added.

 

At present, the Pilikula Nisargadhama, spread across 10 acres of land, boasts of “Nakshatra Vana” (with 27 plants representing 27 stars), “Raashi Vana” (12 plants representing 12 zodiac constellations), “Shiva Panchayatanavana” (five plants), “Navagraha Vana” (nine plants representing nine planets).

 

We have incorporated Vedic concepts in the Vanas. We have made a thorough study of the scriptures. Certain varieties have to be planted in certain positions and angles. We have sought experts’ opinion too,” says Herbal Garden In-Charge Uday Kumar Shetty.

 

“We also have plans to set up “Ashta Dikpala Vana” (eight plants representing eight directions), “Kadamba Vana” and the “Ashoka Vana” which will have about 42 varieties.

 

It is a challenging task to develop the “Ashoka Vana,” since, it is difficult to find all the exotic plant species. We have undertaken the work partially,” he said and added that an artificial Bana has been already set up in Pilikula, where rare butterflies and peacocks are found.

 

Inappropriate method

Uday Kumar Shetty explains that in the name of preserving rare varieties of trees, most people grow them in concrete enclosures, which is not an appropriate method of developing a Bana.

 

Speaking about the future projects, the executive director said that their aim was to turn the Herbal Garden into a model garden. An amount of Rs 10 lakh had been earmarked for the development of the garden in the budget allocated to Pilikula, this year.

 

“We have plans to cultivate the banana plant varieties of the Western Ghats area, such as the Kempu Bale, Nanjanagudu Bale, Paccha Bale, Savira Kadali, Chandra Bale and others. Many are in the endangered species’ list," he reveals and adds that the collection of medicinally enriched indigenous plants and traditional paddy varieties are other projects in the pipeline.

 

Uday Kumar Shetty says he wants to dedicate a part of the Herbal Garden exclusively for Tulsi plants and name it as “Brindavana.” We already have Lavanya Tulsi, Karpura Tulsi, Shree Tulsi, Krishna Tulsi, among others, he adds.