Guidelines for plantation in the Institutional campuses, Industries, Corporate offices, Public parks, Clubs and similar premises during upcoming rainy season - Vijay Ratna Khare and Brahmachari Girish

Guidelines for plantation in the Institutional campuses, Industries, Corporate offices, Public parks, Clubs and similar premises during upcoming rainy season - Vijay Ratna Khare and Brahmachari Girish

As we all know the greenery is very important to create much better, fresh and natural environment around us. The following points should be remembered while taking up the planting operation during this rainy season:

(A) Species to be planted –

Flowering and ornamental plants and creepers should be planted in the premises in large number along the boundary, in open spaces etc. The list of flowers, ornamental and fruit plants are given below:

Flowering Plants: Chandani, Champa, Amaltas, Gulmohar, Jacaranda, Gultarra, Jharul (Lagrestromia Flosregini) (pink or violet colour), Hibiscus multi-petal (three colours-yellow, red and orange), Kaner multi-petal (four colours-red, yellow, white and pink), Sapathodia Campunalata (Red flower) and Tebubia Argentiana (Yellow Flowers) & others.

Ornamental Plants: Bottle Palm, Molshree, Ashok, Polyalthea Pendula (Pendula Ashok), Karanj, Saptparni (Alstonia Scholaris) & others.

Fruit Plants: Jamun, Cheeku, Badam, Mango, Amrud (Guava), Aonla and Khirni (if big space is available) & others.

(B) Utilization of spare open space –

If any large open space is still left it should be given on annual contract for floriculture and/or cultivation of medicinal plants, which are annual in nature i.e. can be harvested in one year’s time. This will add to the beauty and income of the campus. Some of the herbs which can be grown are Mentha, Safed Musali, Sarpagandha, Ashwagandha, Coleus etc.

(C) Points to be remembered for selecting species or location of plants –

Do not plant plants, which will grow more than 10 feet, in the East of building.

Do not plant plants close to building. If the boundary wall is on pillars and beams, plants should be about 1.5 meter away from the boundary wall. If boundary wall is on ordinary plinth, plants should be about 2.5 meter away from the boundary wall.

If boundary wall is adjoining an agriculture field outside, the plants should be planted still away even if the wall is on pillars and beams i.e. 2.5 meters away so that the shade of our plants does not affect the agricultural production of the farmer in future.

Trees along the boundary of the playground should be little away from the boundary so that the players do not strike against them while playing.

Do not plant milk containing plants (like rubber, burgad, doodhi) anywhere in premises.

Do not plant thorny and milk producing plants or cactus in the premises.

Plants which will become tall trees in future should be planted in West and South at a good distance from building, and not in East and North.

(D) Planting procedure –

You will get plants mostly in polythene bags. The point where root meets the stem is called collar.

Normally the pit where plant is to be planted is dug deeper than the size of the polythene bag containing the plant.

Before planting the plant kindly hold the plant on the palm of one hand in such a way that whole polythene bag lies on the palm. Then remove the polythene bag by cutting the polythene on one side by sharp blade or knife in such a way that the soil around the plant remains intact.

Put the soil in the dug pit up to that level so that when plant is put in the pit, its collar is at the ground level i.e. neither above the ground nor below the ground.

By holding the plant, put the soil mixed with cow-dung manure around the plant and press this soil. After planting, irrigate the plant.

(E) Availability of plants –

For getting plants, necessary help from the local Divisional Forest Officer or Deputy Director Agriculture/Horticulture should be solicited.

In certain States like Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, the Forest Department is providing plants and assistance for planting. Kindly avail this. Number of NGOs also offer free plants/saplings.

Kindly purchase only good quality healthy plants. Kindly plant as much plants as possible in this rainy season. This will be a great social service for all fellow members of the society.

All the best wishes with big thanks to all of you for great service to our dear Bharat.

Jai Guru Dev, Jai Maharishi, Jai Bharat