Nakshatra Vatikas will be developed in open spaces in schools to apprise students of constellations and properties of trees. The State Government has directed divisional and district officers of School Education Department to complete works related to developing such gardens by August 30. They have been asked to seek cooperation of officers of forest, social justice and agriculture departments in this work.
Directives have also been given to avail guidance from botany department of local college about soil, fertilisers and insecticides for Nakshatra Vatika. Planted saplings will be nurtured by “Children’s Cabinet”. Nakshatra Vatikas will be developed on the premises of such schools at district level where classes from primary to higher secondary are conducted. Rainy season has been selected for developing Nakshatra Vatikas since maximum number of saplings can be planted easily during it.
For Nakshatra Vatikas, schools with open space and boundary wall are being selected. list of selected schools will be sent to Forest and Agriculture departments. Arrangements will be made to observe growth of plants and for watering, soil and fertilizers from time to time. Barbed wires/tree guards will also be fixed to protect plants. Small groups of students from class 5 to XII will be formed. Each group will constantly look after one tree and prepare project on its life. Children will be apprised of medicinal properties of trees grown in Nakshatra Vatikas.
In accordance with constellations and planet positions, saplings of 27 species will be planted in Nakshatra Vatikas. Kuchla will be planted in Ashwini Nakshatra, Aonla in Bharni, udumbar/goolar in Kritika, jamun in Rohini, Khair in Mrigshira, Krishna Guru in Ardra, bamboo in Punarwasu, peepar in Pushya, champa in Ashlesha, badwat in Magha, palash in Poorva Phalguni, kaner in Uttara Phalguni, chameli in Hast, bel in Chaitra, kanha/koh in Swati-Kanha, kaith in Vishakha, maulsari in Anuradha, shalmani/sewar in Jyesht, sakhua in Mool-saal, baint in Poorvashadha, kathal in Uttarashadha, ankda in Shravan, sami/safed keekar in Dhanishtha-Sami, kadamb in Shatbhisha, mango in Poorvabhadrapada, neem in Uttarabhadrapada and mahua saplings will be planted in Rewati.
As project work, students will be assigned task to collect data about Vatika. Under it, they will collect information about name of tree, date of plantation, changes occurring in one month, flowering and time taken in it, name of medicinal plant, in which disease it is effective and in which form it is used.
