Team L&M
To help propagate the critically endangered plant and tree species in the country, Heartfulness Tree Conservation Centre (HTCC) launched Modern Tissue Culture laboratory.
The Heartfulness Tree Conservation Centre aims to conserve the tree species near extinction through tissue culture technology to get more saplings while overcoming the challenges of traditional methods of plant propagation. The traditional methods can pose challenges in terms of reproduction thereby affecting the sapling numbers. This is the reason why in vitro methods of tissue culture are adopted for the tools it provides in a variety of ways depending on the need of the species.
The project was inaugurated by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar to mark the conservation efforts by Kanha Shanti Vanam. While Heartfulness Institute aims at growing the plantlets at the ashram a good share will also be given off across the country to the forestry department, NGOs, and other plantation bodies that are involved with afforestation in India.
“Protecting nature’s beauty is everyone’s responsibility. After visiting tree conservation center’s tissue culture lab I realised that species which are getting endangered can be saved and further be developed which would create employment and bring revolution in agriculture as well. ,” said Tomar.
“Much before the West proved that plants are living beings, the Vedic knowledge had always recommended putting trees ahead in priority. Many trees are not only worshipped but also find a spiritual significance in Indian culture. Our proprietary medical knowledge is also plant-driven and trees have always been given their due as revered species in most parts of the country. By safeguarding the many species of plants, it is only a minuscule effort in the direction for the benefit of our future generations and the overall ecosystem,” said Daaji.
India has about 49,000 plant species of which 28 per cent of the plants are on the verge of extinction. Some of these also have medicinal properties. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced the Red List of endangered plant species that are steadily on a rise in India.
