Gita tree to be rid of bad 'karma'

The Times of India, Aug 3, 2015

CHANDIGARH: The legendary banyan tree at Jyotisar near Kurukshetra, under which Lord Krishna is believed to have delivered the message of Bhagavad Gita, is all set to get a new lease of life by August 21. Following orders from the National Green Tribunal, the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) has submitted that it would implement all measures suggested by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, to save the tree from possible harm.

The legendary banyan tree at Jyotisar near Kurukshetra

Following the assurance, the NGT had asked the district administration to deconcretize the tree without any laxity within 30 days. The NGT passed these orders after a plan to revive the tree was submitted before the tribunal by chief executive officer of the KDB on July 21. The board submitted that a committee was appointed to take over the management of Tirath Jyotisar in 2012 following directions from the Punjab and Haryana high court and also appointed additional deputy commissioner as its nodal officer.

The committee consulted the scientists of FRI, Dehradun, for preservation of the holy tree after which the experts visited the site on August 16, 2012, and suggested several measures to save the tree from decaying. It includes pruning of dead branches, removal of concrete and marble flooring around the tree, taking away all signboards, bells, chains and clamps nailed to the tree.

The board had also submitted before the tribunal that the work to revive the tree, located near the Shiva Temple of Jyotisar Tirath, would be undertaken and completed as per the suggestions of FRI within 30 days.

After this, the NGT disposed of the petition filed on the issue by renowned environmentalist and advocate M C Mehta through his NGO Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action.

Pleading that the tree is dying a slow death, the petitioner had submitted that the marble and concrete paving around the tree was harming its growth. Fancy lights and lamps were also nailed to the old tree and big bells were tied to it. The 'holy threads' tied by pilgrims had covered most of the lower branches, the petitioner had said. Lakhs of tourists visit Kurukshetra every year due to its mythological importance.

Steps to save tree

>>> Removal of the marble stones and concrete paving around the tree to expose the soil and facilitate aeration and water percolation

>>> Drilling holes around the tree for making openings for aeration and water percolation

>>> Periodical irrigation

>>> Removal of electric cables attached to the tree

>>> Removal of chains, bells, clamps, signboards

>>> Pruning of dead branches, apply choubatia paste (mixture of copper carbonate, lead oxide and linseed oil)

>>> Removal of the net covering the tree's canopy

Bhagavad-gita Banyan Tree Dying in Haryana

The legendary banyan tree under which Lord Krishna is believed to have delivered his message of Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna is dying a slow death. Considered to be more than 5,000 years old, this tree at Jyotisar near Kurukshetra in Haryana is reportedly the only remaining relic from the time of the Mahabharata. Now, a tussle between the two claimants over the holy place on a puerile issue has left the tree completely neglected, putting it on the verge of extinction.

TOI found that the area surrounding the tree has been covered with marble pavement and it can't draw nutrients for its growth. Fancy lights and lamps are fitted with nails on the tree for lighting during night and big bells are tied all over it. The 'holy thread' tied by the visitors has covered most of the lower branches. Tying threads is considered to be wish-fulfilling. Sadly, chunks of branches were also chopped off recently by the caretakers without any expert advice.

The two stakeholders - Hindu Mission, a local religious body that has been taking care of the tree for years and the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) - are sparring over the ownership of the space where the tree is located.

Pandit Sukhpal, who is currently taking care of the disputed portion on behalf of Hindu Mission, said, "We have been looking after the holy tree and even constructed a marble pavement for its upkeep. Our gardener prunes it from time to time." Sukhpal added that there is no need of any scientific preservation of the tree because that would invite some 'problem' for this holy area, as the KDB would then levy fee on visit to this place.

When contacted, KDB curator Rajender Rana told TOI that for scientific assistance for maintenance of the tree, they had contacted officials at the Sunderbans in West Bengal, which has the largest forest cover of old trees in the world. He added that on receiving feedback from the Sunderbans, they had chalked out a plan for its preservation but the claim by some individuals over the area has prevented them from taking any concrete step.
A case between Hindu Mission and KDB is pending in the apex court, which has ordered to maintain status quo.


Source: harekrsna.com