Name the City of Kalpavrikshas... Anyone?
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Name the City of Kalpavrikshas... Anyone?

Puzzled, eh? Ghaziabad it is, if GDA gets it way. The horticulture department is planning to plant Kalpvriksha trees, identified as the tree of life or the wish-fulfilling tree, all over the town.

Name the City of Kalpavrikshas... Anyone?

Which city is known as the City of Kalpavrikshas? Well... Ghaziabad, in a few years perhaps.

The horticulture department of Ghaziabad Development Authority is planning to give the town a Kalpavriksha makeover. Their logic: If there can be a city of lakes, of palaces, of clouds... why not then a city of Kalpavrikshas.       

SP Shisodia, chief of horticulture, GDA, told City Spidey that the department is planning to plant Kalpvriksha trees — Baobab or adansonia digitata — all over Ghaziabad. The tree, identified as the tree of life or the wish-fulfilling tree, finds mythological significance in several religions, including Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

“We are planning to plant them in various locations, such as schools, colleges, parks, hospitals and government offices. The drive will be carried out in collaboration with residents, officials and RWAs. If we are successful, Ghaziabad will surely be known by its sobriquet,” Shisodia added with a smile.

The news came as a victory for green activist Vijay Pal Baghel, better known as the Green Man. He has played a major in rejuvenating Kalpavrikshas, and has planted them in various locations across India.

Baghel told City Spidey that Kalpavriksha is a divine tree, with sacred significance — and the locations they are to be planted in must be chosen carefully. “These are not regular trees, which you plant along a road, and then uproot when you need to widen the road,” he rued.

These trees, Baghel further explained, cannot also be used for beautification, as they don’t have leaves for around six months. “People are not that aware really, and might not understand their importance. The locations must be chosen carefully, and people who’ll take care of them must be made to understand their sacred significance. It’ll be great if the GDA can successfully get Ghaziabad to be identified as the City of Kalpavrikshas. I am more than ready to participate,” Green Man responded enthusiastically.