Ramayan-era trees to line Path, plantation to begin in July
PRAYAGRAJ: Tourists and pilgrims, travelling on the proposed Ram Van Gaman Path in coming days, would experience the same flora as it is believed to have been experienced by lord Ram while walking on the same route along with goddess Sita and his brother Laxman on his way to 14-year exile as per the ancient epic Ramayan.
On the instructions of the state government, the forest department of Prayagraj and Chitrakoot range would be undertaking an ambitious project of planting a number of saplings on Ram Van Gaman Path of the same species of trees as described in Ramayan.
As per the instructions, both sides of the entire stretch of 210 km-long Ram Van Gaman Path, stretching from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot and passing through Prayagraj’s Shrivengpur, would have saplings of trees like Peepal, Pakhar, Banyan, Sal, Kadam, Ashoka, Sandalwood, Neem, Amla and Bel among others, said officials.
The forest department has planned a mega exercise of planting these saplings in the first week of July, they said.
The state government has planned to construct the 210-km Ram Van Gaman Path in the state, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The proposed route will connect Ayodhya to Chitrakoot via Faizabad, Sultanpur, Jethwara, Shringverpur, Manjhanpur and Rajapur.
“We will be planting around 3,300 saplings of various varieties on both sides of Ram Van Gaman Path and the species would be same as are believed to have existed when lord Ram walked this path. Saplings of shady trees like Peepal, Banyan, Neem and fruit-bearing trees like Ber (Indian Jujebe), Bel, Black berry etc will be planted in the first week of July,” said divisional forest officer (DFO), Prayagraj, Ramesh Chandra.
Planting of such species along the Ram Van Gaman Path was also suggested in the book ‘Ram Vanagaman Path Ki Vanaspati’ written by a former chief conservator of forests, Mahendra Pratap Singh. He has mentioned about 250 species of plants in his book while quoting Ramcharit Manas and Valmiki Ramayan. His book was released by chief minister Yogi Aditya Nath in 2020.
The idea of the state government promises to be a great success as conserving the planted saplings is equally important as is planting them. When these planted saplings would have a religious connect which is directly associated with Lord Ram.