The centre has earmarked more than 20 acres of land for
growing forest tree species. Since 1993 the Centre has planted
2000 trees of shishum and 2500 teak trees and a large number
of fruit bearing trees such as mango, bael, have been planted.
During July 2007, the Centre joined hands with UP Forest
Dept's massive tree plantation programme. As a part of this
programme, the Centre planted 2000 saplings of arjun, jamun,
teak, gulmohar, bamboo. Large number of saplings has died
due to cattle grazing and goat menace. Of these a few saplings
have been survived.
Despite this loss of young plants, the Centre is determined
and continued to plant more and more number of saplings
in order to increase the green cover, which is in consistence
with the values of the Foundation. In the current year 2008-09,
the Centre planted 350 saplings of bamboo in one hectare.
Another 350 saplings will be planted in another hectare
during the year 2009-10. Bamboo plantation is a part of
State Govt.'s "National Bamboo Mission" programme.
Due care and security measures taken to this large scale
plantation have accelerated natural regeneration in this
area. Across the vast expanse of 200 acres, numerous tree
species such as teak, sisham, neem, pakad, peepal, banyan,
gulmohar, kadam, kala sirus, tad palm, ber, parijatha, bamboo,
palas, tabia rosa, kachenar, ashoka, pendula, etc. have
grown in large numbers. A vide variety of shrubs, grasses
herbs are also seen.
Balam kheera, a medicinal tree, is one of the oldest surviving
trees in the campus. The fruits of the tree are used in
the preparation of medicines for dissolving the kidney stones.
The floral diversity, in the Centre, has attracted a larger
number of bird species. One can see tree-pi, drango, hoopoe,
robin, pigeon, crow, woodpecker, kingfisher, barbet, humming
bird, dove, eagle, peacock, sparrow, myna, parrots, and
owl. Some of the wild animals seen are Neelgai, porcupines,
rabbits, civet cat, foxes and large number of reptiles such
as cobras, etc.
Nursery
The Centre has developed a small nursery for growing forest
and ornamental species. The saplings are used for planting
them in the campus. Presently, there are 350 saplings such
as bamboo(bamabusa arundinacea), kala sirus, babul(acacia
nilotica), arjun (terminalia arjuna), pakad, banyan, peepal,
gulmohar, parijatha, jamoon(syzygium cumin), badhal,
Seethaphal.
The children also work in the nursery as a part of Green
School Programme. They are involved in watering and weeding
plants.
Future Plans
The centre has plans to grow rare and endangered tree species
in order to conserve them for posterity.
The Centre also intends to establish a seed bank to meet
the seeds requirement.
The Centre wishes to document the biological diversity
of the Rajghat Campus. This project is dependent on adequate
financial resources and human resources.