Planting Trees

Debi Mukherjee (India, 14/07/08)

The Hon’ble Minister of Forest of the State of MP, Sri Vijay Shah recently made a statement that saplings should be planted in the memory of fore-fathers in place of providing food for Brahmins which will be more beneficial.

I must congratulate the Minister for this thought provoking statement. It is needless to say that tree is indispensable for survival of our lives.

Indeed there are numerous benefits of planting of trees. Some of these are:

* Producing oxygen for us to breath

* Filtering the air and thus keeping it clean

* Preventing erosion

* Providing shade, shelter and food for people birds and animals

* Gifting us flowers used for worships, ceremonial occasions, decorations

* Supplying us woods for building homes and furniture and other uses.

Trees even find mention in religious scriptures. In Chapter 10 of Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna “Of all the trees of the forest I am Asvattha, the Pipala tree”.

Decoration of Christmas tree is a part of celebration of Christmas festival. Bodhi Tree finds mention in Buddhism.

In fact “Tree-Planting” should be our first and foremost duty to the Mother Earth. Saving the earth exercise could be carried out by planting trees on every occasion like:

* Celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries

* New Year, Republic and Independence day

* House warming ceremony/marriage and other rituals

* Inaugural session of any meeting/workshop/seminar

* Festival celebration

* Commemoration days of our fore-fathers/freedom fighters

In case the above practice is followed in words, spirits and actions, global warming will be minimized to the lowest possible within a few years.

It thus could be concluded that sapling a tree is more beneficial to the whole world rather than feeding a Brahmin.

Photo by: Gautam Dhar (USA)

Share This Site