UP highways to have herbal plantations

National and state highways in Uttar Pradesh will have clean and bacteria-free air as the Yogi Adityanath government in the state is planning to plant herbal trees along the state’s highways to improve air quality and also promote ayurveda.

According to Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya, Uttar Pradesh is on its way to becoming the first state to implement the plan, which is an extension of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana (healthy India programme).

A pilot project has been launched in 18 districts, aiming to curb the growth of nonnative species, such as cacti and bonsai, in homes, offices and parks, and promoting plants mentioned in the ayurveda system of natural medicine.

A senior official in the PWD Department said that plants like curcumin or turmeric (haldi) which is used in cooking and is known for its anti-bacterial properties, brahmi, ashvagandha, anantmula, janofa, mashparni, saptparni, tulsi and jal neem are among the 34 herb varieties that have been identified for plantation along the highways.

According to ayurveda experts, the benefits of brahmi include sharpness of memory and ashvagandha has been in use for general wellness and helps in fighting depression and high blood sugar. Mashparni’s benefits include boosting body energy, strengthening muscles and increasing sperm count. Neem is known as an air purifier and disinfectant.

Health experts said that one of the prime reasons for the currently unfit India is shrinking open air and diminishing ayurveda plantations.