UP: Kashi will set a new record in CM Yogi's presence, three lakh saplings to be planted along the banks of the Ganga
Varanasi: Kashi is now poised to leave an indelible mark on the world stage in the field of environmental protection. Preparations for the modern "urban forest" being developed by the Municipal Corporation on 350 bighas of land using the Miyawaki method are complete. The forest willbe developed in the Sujabad Domri area along the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate this historic project on Sunday.
State Finance Minister Suresh Khanna visited Domri on Saturday to review this ambitious project. He expressed satisfaction with the preparations and described it as an "oxygen bank" for future generations. During the inspection, Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal provided the Finance Minister with a map of each sector.
On Sunday, starting at 8 am, a new record will be set by planting over three lakh saplings simultaneously. A team from the "Guinness Book of World Records" has also arrived in Varanasi to document this historic moment. At 2:30 pm, the Chief Minister will witness a presentation regarding the tree plantation program and distribute certificates.
Each sector is named after the famous Ganga ghats of Kashi
The most unique feature of this "urban forest" is its layout. The entire forest area has been divided into 60 sectors. Each sector is named after the famous Ganga ghats of Kashi, such as Dashashwamedh, Lalita Ghat, Naya Ghat, Kedar Ghat, Chaushatti Ghat, Manmandir Ghat, and Sheetla Ghat. Five thousand saplings will be planted in each sector. This will not only be a cluster of plants, but will also create a lush green "mini Kashi" along the banks of the Ganga.
Project will also become a major source of income for the Municipal Corporation
This project is not limited to greenery alone; it will also become a major source of income for the Municipal Corporation. Under an agreement with the MBK organization of Madhya Pradesh, the corporation will start earning an annual income of Rs 2 crore from the third year itself, which could reach Rs 7 crore by the seventh year.
Mango, guava, and papaya, as well as medicinal plants like ashwagandha, asparagus, and giloy, will be grown here. In floriculture, a revenue generation model has been developed from flowers like rose, jasmine, and parijat.
A network of modern irrigation systems using the Miyawaki method has been installed to sustain 3,00,000 plants. To protect riverbank soil, 27 native species, such as rosewood, arjun, teak, and bamboo, have been prioritized. A four-kilometer-long pathway has also been constructed within the forest for tourists and locals.
The Miyawaki method, developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, allows dense, native forests to be cultivated in a small space. Plants planted using this method grow 10 times faster than conventional plants.
The target of 300,000 trees in Domri (Varanasi) will be a unique 'Urban Forest' record, as it is based on the Miyawaki technique and 60 different sectors (named after ghats).