Government plans series of themed forests
The Delhi Government is planning a series of themed forests or “special vans”, including those based on zodiac signs, stars and ancient traditions to enhance the city’s green cover while blending ecology with cultural traditions, officials said.
The proposed plantations, to come up on around more than two acres of land in select pockets of the Central and South Ridge, are part of efforts to create green spaces rooted in traditional concepts. The planned forests include Ritu Van, Nakshatra Van, Rashi Van, Thirthankar Van, Bel Van and Panchvati Van, each based on a distinct cultural or ecological theme.
“These forests will enhance plantations in the national capital, add ecological value, and attract more people to forest areas while educating them about different cultural aspects in an engaging manner,” an official said.
Explaining the concept further, he said, “Under Ritu Van, trees linked to different seasons will be planted so people can actually see how flowering and foliage change through the year.” He said the Nakshatra Van will have plants linked to different stars and constellations.
“The Rashi Van will be based on the 12 rashis (zodiac signs of the Indian astrology) that represent different personality traits and life paths, with each section representing these traditional systems in a simple and easy-to-understand manner,” the official added.
Thirthankar Van will honour the 24 Jain Tirthankars, respected spiritual teachers in Jainism, believed to have attained enlightenment and shown the path to liberation, he said.
