Plant saplings at Nakshatra Vatika to ward off bad planetary effects: UP CM Yogi Adityanath
The UP chief minister says Nakshatra Vatika and Navgrah Vatika will provide the new generation an opportunity to reconnect with the ancient Indian tradition
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that people should plant saplings in Nakshatra Vatika at Kukrail picnic spot to ward off negative planetary effects and other evil omen.
Inaugurating Van Mahotsav, a tree plantation campaign launched by the UP forest department, the CM said there are specific locations at Nakshatra Vatika – a garden developed on the theme of astrology – where one can plant saplings to counter the ill-effects of planets.
Yogi also planted a sapling at the new garden.
“You can also plant saplings at Nakshatra Vatika on special occasions like birthdays or wedding anniversaries. Nakshatra Vatika and Navgrah Vatika are auspicious and will provide the new generation an opportunity to reconnect with the ancient Indian traditions,” Yogi said.
He said Kukrail would be developed as an eco-tourism centre within three years.
“Earlier, I was of the view that Lucknow is a concrete jungle. After coming to Kukrail and seeing the greenery, my view for the city has changed,” Yogi said.
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“Some of our traditions that stemmed from ancient knowledge are now considered as superstition. Many of these practices have scientific reasons too,” a forest department official said.
There are 27 trees that have been given the names of ‘nakshatras’. These trees include Kuchila (Ashwani Nakshatra), Aonla (Bharini), Peepal (Pusya) and Banyan (Magha). Aak, Dhak and Peepal trees have been named after Sun, Moon and Brihaspati.
Yogi will also kick-start a major plantation drive along the banks of Ganga on July 5.
He will launch the campaign from Garhmukteshwar that will cover 27 districts from where the Ganga passes. He said deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya would launch the drive in Allahabad.
The total plantation target for Van Mahotsav during the entire monsoon season has been extended to 6.5 crore saplings, which is 1.5 crore more than the last year’s figures.
The forest department will do the lion’s share of planting -- 4.3 crore saplings -- and the remaining will be divided among other departments. Selection of plant species remains the same as was done in the previous years. Plants are selected keeping in view the soil quality and average rainfall of the area where plantation is being done.