‘Krishna-Kunj’ is being developed in urban bodies to take tree plantaion to the next level and save our cultural heritage: CM Baghel
Raipur: Cheif minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday launched ‘Krishna Kunj’ developed in Telibandha, Raipur on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtmi. Sprawled over an area of 1.68 hectares, plantation of nearly 383 culturally significant and other useful trees has been done here. On this occasion, Chief Minister planted a sapling of Kadamb tree. He also offered prayers to Lord Shri Krishna and extended Janmashtmi greetings to the people of the state. Besides, he performed the ritual of feeding chana with jaggery to a cow. He picked up a child dressed as Shri Krishna and helped him break ‘dahi-handi’. Keeping in view the convenience of the citizens, Baghel also directed the district collector to shift the government liquor shop located near the newly established Krishna-Kunj to another place.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, cheif minister said that plantation of culturally significant trees like Banyan, Peepal, Kadamb and other useful trees like mangoes, tamarind, plum, Ganga imli, Jamun, Mulberry, Tendu, Chironji, Pomegranate, Palas, Guava, Sitaphal, Bel, and Amla is being done today at Krishna-Kunj developed in 162 places of urban areas across the state. In a bid to motivate people to plant trees and to save our cultural heritage, ‘Krishna-Kunj’ is being developed in the state. These trees are disappearing due to urbanization in the last few years, leading to the indiscriminate felling of trees. The initiative of ‘Krishna-Kunj’ is being undertaken to aware the forthcoming generations about the importance of these trees.
He added that mothers always catch the glimpse of Lord Krishna in their children. Lord Krishna has many names like ‘Makhanchor’, ‘Dwarkadheesh’, and ‘Nandkishor’. In Chhattisgarh, the first fast that a child observes is that of Janmashtami. He said that apart from being a Karmayogi, Bhakti yogi, and Gyanyogi, Lord Krishna was also an expert economist who had connected agriculture with cattle rearing. We have encouraged cattle rearing in Chhattisgarh. We are setting up Gauthans in villages and cities and purchasing cow dung and ‘gaumutra’. The Government is also striving toward cleanliness while serving ‘Gau Maata’. This has provided a means of employment to people and improved their economic situation.
‘Krishna Kunj’ is being developed in all the urban areas of Chhattisgarh. Chief minister has directed all the district collectors to allot at least one acre of land to the Forest Department for developing ‘Krishna-Kunj’. A total of 162 places have been identified across the state so far for developing ‘Krishna Kunj’. To give a unique identity to Krishna Kunj, a special logo for the boundary wall gate has been designed to show uniformity in all the bodies.
Meanwhile, sites have been selected for Krishna-Kunj in 10 urban bodies of Raipur district including Kurra, Kharora, Birgaon, Attari, Telibandha, Arang, Chandkhuri, Kurud Samoda, and Urla. On Janmashtmi, tree plantation was done in a total of 162 selected sites including 3 of Mahasamund in Gariyaband district, 2 of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district, 7 of Koriya district, 3 of Kondagaon district, 4 of Dantewada district, 1 each of Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur districts.
