Varanasi/Lucknow, 01 March. Under the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Kashi recorded a new history on the world environmental map on Sunday. In the ‘Major Tree Plantation Program’ organized in Sujabad Domri area of Varanasi, the people of Kashi destroyed China’s eight-year-old record by planting 2,51,446 saplings in a span of just one hour. On the occasion, Guinness World Records judge Rishinath handed over the certificate to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal.
The Mayor said that this great achievement was possible with the able guidance of CM Yogi after taking inspiration from PM Modi. The Guinness World Records team was present in Domri since morning to record this historical moment. This modern ‘urban forest’, developed in 350 bigha area of Sujabad Domri in coordination with the Municipal Corporation and various social and government organizations, has today increased the prestige of the country and the state on the world stage.
China’s record broken, India made its own record
On March 10, 2018, China’s Henan Provincial Committee and Henan Shifang Greening Engineering Company created a world record by planting 1,53,981 saplings. On Sunday, Guinness World Records adjudicator Rishi Nath and world record strategist Nischal Barot were present at the spot and monitored each and every activity. Rishi Nath officially announced this new record after accurate confirmation through drone cameras and modern digital counting system.
‘Urban forest’ becomes replica of 60 Ganga ghats
The most unique feature of this ‘urban forest’ is its design and conceptual background. The entire forest area is divided into 60 different sectors. Each sector is named after the famous Ganga ghats of Kashi like Dashashwamedh, Lalita Ghat, Naya Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Kedar Ghat, Chausatti Ghat, Maan Mandir Ghat and Shitala Ghat. This structure is such that when these plants grow into trees in the future, a lush green ‘Mini Kashi’ will be visible on the banks of the Ganga.
More than 4,000 saplings have been planted in each sector. In these, 27 native species like rosewood, arjuna, teak and bamboo along with fruit trees like mango, guava and papaya and medicinal plants like Ashwagandha, Shatavari and Giloy have been given priority. This project will not only improve the environment but will also become a major source of income for the Municipal Corporation in the coming times.
Mahakumbh of public participation for plantation
Creating this world record involved months of preparation and the collective labor of thousands of hands. There was an atmosphere of great enthusiasm in Domri since Sunday morning. Apart from a large number of schools and colleges, many institutions played an active role in this campaign.
Police and military forces remained deployed
The soldiers of 39 GTC, 34 GTC, 39 GR and 137 CFTF (TA) of the Indian Army set an example of discipline. At the same time, NDRF, CRPF, Civil Defense and 36th and 39th Corps PAC personnel of Uttar Pradesh Police planted saplings with full energy.
students took part
Teams from Namami Gange, Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, Agriculture Department, DUDA and Municipal Corporation took over the technical management and irrigation arrangements. Thousands of students from Kashi Vidyapeeth, UP College, Dehradun Public School, Mukularendam School, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers turned this program into a mass movement.
smart irrigation technology
The administration has made concrete arrangements to keep these plants alive. A 10,827 meter long state-of-the-art pipeline has been laid in the forest area. Irrigation arrangements have been made through 10 borewells and 360 ‘rain gun’ systems so that there is no wastage of water. Due to Miyawaki technology, these plants will grow 10 times faster than normal and in just two to three years this area will take the form of a dense ‘oxygen bank’. This technique developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki is world famous for growing dense forests in small space.
Economic and environmental benefits
This project is not limited to greenery only, but will also become a big source of income for the Municipal Corporation. Under the agreement with MBK organization of Madhya Pradesh, the corporation will start earning an income of Rs 2 crore from the third year itself, which can reach Rs 7 crore annually by the seventh year.
Dignitaries present during plantation
During the program, BHU Vice Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Legislative Council member Dharmendra Rai, MLC Hansraj Vishwakarma, Ashwani Tyagi and Municipal Commissioners Himanshu Nagpal and Shyam Bhushan Sharma were present. The Mayor said that this is a unique example of spiritual peace and modern economics. The administration teams remained at the site and ultimately Kashi won the world record.
“Under the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, this achievement proves that Kashi not only cherishes its ancient traditions, but is also ready to lead the world on global issues like environment. This new gift of 2.5 lakh plants is another proud tilak on the forehead of Kashi.… Ashok Kumar Tiwari, Mayor.
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