UP: Kashi sets Guinness World Record, plants 2 lakh 51,446 trees in one hour; what is special about it
Varanasi/Lucknow: Kashi has created history in the field of environmental conservation. During a massive tree plantation drive organized in the Sujabad Domri area of Varanasi, 251,446 trees were planted in just one hour, surpassing China's eight-year-old record.
The previous record was set on March 10, 2018, by planting 1,53,981 trees in Henan Province, China. Following the official confirmation of this achievement, Guinness World Records judge Rishinath presented a certificate to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal. The precise verification was done using drone cameras and digital counting systems.
Describing it as a unique confluence of spiritual consciousness and environmental commitment, Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari explained that the 350-bigha "urban forest" has been divided into 60 sectors, named after Kashi's major Ganga ghats. In which 27 native species of plants including Sheesham, Arjun, Teak, Bamboo have been planted. This forest developed under Miyawaki technique will develop into a dense 'oxygen bank' in two to three years.
He said that with the participation of Indian Army, NDRF, Police, NCC, NSS, various educational institutions and thousands of volunteers, this campaign has become a mass movement. The care of the plants has been ensured through modern irrigation system, 10 bore wells and 360 raingun system.
VMC developing Namo Van
The official statement said the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) is developing a massive urban forest named "Namo Van" across approximately 350 bighas of land near the Ganga ghats, in the Domari area.
Under this project, a total of 3 lakh saplings are being planted, including 2.5 lakh Miyawaki-method saplings,10,000 timber trees and 40,000 fruit-bearing trees, said an official statement.
Additionally, the project will feature a 4-kilometre walking pathway; meditation and yoga plaza; a 4-hectare flower park; a 2-hectare herbal park; a children's play zone and an open gym plaza.
Forest will enhance biodiversity
This urban forest will enhance biodiversity, strengthen the Ganga riverbank, and improve ecological balance, said the statement.
From the third year onwards, the municipal corporation is expected to generate an annual revenue of around Rs 2 crore, which could increase to Rs 7 crore by the seventh year, it said.
There is also a plan to establish a Naturopathy Plaza here in the future, said the statement.