KCR WANTS TREE PLANTATION TO FOLLOW ZODIAC RULES
Belief in astrology is set to sink deeper roots in Telangana. The government of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has embarked on an ambitious afforestation plan for which it has exhorted residents of the state to plant saplings according to their respective zodiac signs. Rao says planting trees matching zodiac signs will bring good luck to both the individual as well as the state.
Belief in astrology is set to sink deeper roots in Telangana. The government of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has embarked on an ambitious afforestation plan for which it has exhorted residents of the state to plant saplings according to their respective zodiac signs.
Known for his firm belief in astrology and vaastu, Rao says planting trees matching zodiac signs will bring good luck to both the individual as well as the state that is going to get greener. “It has been a tradition in India to plant trees based on a person’s astrological sign or birth star to bring them good luck.
During the plantation drive, saplings that are aligned astrologically to individuals must be given if asked for,’’ the chief minister instructed officials recently.
Some 4,200 nurseries have consequently drawn up elaborate lists of trees corresponding with their preferred zodiac sign.
For example, if one is born under the Pisces sign, he or she should ideally be planting a banyan sapling. In the case of Aries, a red sanders is preferred while Geminis should preferably opt for jackfruit trees.
Rao’s penchant for something that many see as superstition may shock outsiders, but those in Telangana are not surprised.
Since taking office two years ago, Rao has reportedly been following what his personal retinue of astrologers advise. One particular person who has left his stamp of authority during Rao’s tenure is Sudhakar Teja, an expert in Vaastu — the traditional Hindu system of architecture.