First Rhododendron garden of the country set up at Munsiyari
Listen to this articleFirst Rhododendron garden of the country set up at Munsiyari
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, July 11
The research wing of Uttarakhand forest department has developed a rhododendron garden, a first in the country, as well as of Himalayan region in Munsiyari Himalayas of Pithoragarh district.
The garden developed after four years of dedicated efforts consists of 35 species of rhododendron including five species found in the state of Uttarakhand.
“The objective to establish this unique garden is to preserve this fascinating plant species for further scientific research and raise awareness among the people of its ecological and economic significance,” said Sanjeev Chaturvedi, Chief Conservator Forest and head of research wing of Uttarakhand forest department.
“Rhododendron arboreum, is widely loved variety in entire Himalayan region states. It is a state tree of Uttarakhand, National tree of Nepal, and state flower of Nagaland,” said Sanjeev Chaturvedi, the research wing head.
The rhododendron flower has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.”In Himalayan eco-system, rhododendron species acts as keynote species and during full bloom they give mesmerizing hue to forests and attract large number of birds and insects,” said Chaturvedi.
“We have also showcased medicinal and literary aspects of the specie, adorned by the famous Kumaoni poem written by Kumaon born well known Hindi poet Sumitra Nandan Pant,” said the director.
Sumitra Nandan Pant, the famous ‘Chayavadi’ poet of Hindi literature, was born in Kumaon region and has written lone Kumaoni poem that was on ‘Buransh’ or rhododendron.”Pantji has vividly described vibrant beauty of rhodendendron flower using it’s metaphor for richness and splendour of Himalayan region’s natural beauty,” said Chaturvedi.
