A Sacred Grove was inaugurated in the government run Rani Chandramani Devi (RCD) Hospital, China Waltair, Vizag. The grove contains many herbal and medicinal plants, including a few endangered species, which are highly valued religiously. After inaugurating the sacred grove, MP and BJP State president K. Haribabu promised help to develop the three-acre park with better infrastructure and expressed his willingness to allocate funds for the development and maintenance of the grove.
The initiative was taken by a Vizag based organization, Dolphin Nature Conservation Society (DNCS). The organization took the responsibility to collect saplings of rear plants such as Neem, Peepal, Banyan, Bilva, Medi, Moduga, Christmas tree and create awareness about these plants which are usually found in religious places.
“The society has grouped more than 100 different species of plants under the headings Vinayaka Vana – 21 plants, Nakshatra Vana – 27 plants, Raasi Vana – 12 plants, Navagraha Vana – 9 plants, Saptharishi Vana – 7 plants – that includes a total of 76 different species. Some nakshatras (stars) have more than two plant species also. Among these, some are rare and endangered, for example Swetarca, Catechu, Vanne Sandra, Red Sanders, Sandal Wood, Naga Kesari, Guggilam Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma),” stated S.Pavani, the secretary of DNCS.
The sacred grove was created with the concept of preserving the endangered species and to save the rapidly decreasing forests. M. Ramana Murthy, the founder of DNCS-Vizag stated, “Most of the sacred varieties contain therapeutic values and are rarely spotted. The idea behind developing the new green stretch is to educate people on the properties of these plants and encourage them to be part of the conservation movement.”
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