" Ten wells are equal to one pond , ten ponds are equal to one lake , ten lakes are equal to one son , ten sons are equal to one tree. " " If one plants a pleasure garden abounding in boundless fruits , then gods , wise men , nymphs , yakshas etc., reside there for three ages." " Knowing this truth one should undertake planting of trees since trees yield the means of attaining Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha"

These are a few excerpts from ancient Indian culture and show the height of importance that is given to plants by the ancient Indians.

The auspicious Tulasi.

The place of plants & trees in ecology had been well understood by the ancient Indians as is evident from the references in books and epics. A person is honored in heaven for as many thousand years as the days he resides in a house where the Tulasi plant is grown , if one properly grows the Bilva tree (which is considered to be dear to Lord Shiva) in his courtyard , the Goddess of wealth will permanently reside in his house and and the riches are passed on to his sons and grandsons.

The " Ayurveda " a form medicine developed by the ancient Indians , deals with preparations made out of plant extracts and every plant has a place in this form of medicine. This form of medicine said to have cure for all ailments , is being revived and practiced in the recent past after being forgotten and left out for a long while. The use of neem as a natural antiseptic and as a pesticide , the medicinal value of the turmeric and Tulasi , all these are well documented in the ancient books and writings.

Coconut tree - The Kalpavriksha

The Coconut tree has often been called the 'kalpavriksha' by our ancestors , it is so ingrained in our culture and traditions that the breaking of a coconut is a most important part of any pooja ceremony and the coconut water is offered to the devotees as ' teertham '. The felling of a coconut tree was forbidden by the scriptures, infact it was considered to be a sin. If one had to be felled for some reason, two such trees had to be planted and nurtured to atone for the sin. Apparently the place of trees in environmental maintenance and the food chain was well understood. The saints and philosophers of that time extolled people to 'grow more trees' - a slogan which we have rediscovered during the past few decades.

Ashoka vana , a groove of Ashoka trees was the place described in the Ramayana , where Sita , Lord Rama's spouse was kept by Ravana , the demon king after her abduction. Hanuman is employed to fetch a herb "sanjeevini" from the mount"Gandhamadana" by the physician "Sushena" to cure Lakshmana who gets hurt in the war with Ravana. Lord Krishna is depicted on peepul leaves as a baby boy. Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under a peepul tree. Thus trees and plants have played an important part in our tradition and culture .

Seeta in the Ashoka vana