Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Uses Drones to Plant Seeds in Hard-to-Reach Areas
The Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, has started a new campaign to plant seeds in difficult-to-reach areas using drones. This initiative aims to prevent soil erosion and landslides in the hilly regions.
Efforts Over the Last Decade
Anshul Garg, the Chief Executive Officer of SMVDSB, shared that over the past 10 years, around 17 lakh plants have been manually planted on the Trikuta hills, with an impressive 80% survival rate. The board also runs a high-tech nursery that cultivates 1.5 lakh plants annually.
New Eco-Friendly Initiatives
Recently, the SMVDSB introduced an eco-friendly initiative where plants are given as souvenirs to devotees. Anshul Garg inaugurated a sapling outlet named ‘Vaishnavi Vatika’ at the Niharika Complex in Katra on World Environment Day. This outlet offers about 40 varieties of flowering species to tourists at a nominal charge.
Prime Minister’s Campaign
On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, encouraging people to plant a sapling in honor of their mothers. He planted a peepal tree sapling at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi, accompanied by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
World Environment Day
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5, was established at the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The SMVDSB’s new initiatives aim to promote environmental sustainability and involve the community in these efforts.
Doubts Revealed
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board -: This is a group that takes care of the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. They make sure everything runs smoothly for the pilgrims who visit.
Drones -: Drones are small flying machines that can be controlled from the ground. They can carry things like cameras or seeds and fly to places that are hard for people to reach.
Katra -: Katra is a town in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is famous because it is the starting point for the pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple.
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in the northern part of India. It is known for its beautiful mountains and valleys.
17 lakh plants -: Lakh is a term used in India to mean 100,000. So, 17 lakh plants means 1,700,000 plants.
80% survival rate -: This means that out of all the plants they planted, 80 out of every 100 plants stayed alive and grew.
Eco-friendly -: Eco-friendly means something that is good for the environment and does not harm nature.
Vaishnavi Vatika -: This is a special garden or area where plants are grown. The plants from here are given to people as gifts or souvenirs.
World Environment Day -: This is a special day celebrated on June 5th every year to encourage people to take care of the Earth and the environment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: He is the leader of India. He makes important decisions for the country and helps guide its future.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam -: This is a campaign that means ‘One Tree in the Name of Mother.’ It encourages people to plant a tree to honor their mothers.
Saplings -: Saplings are young trees that are small and just starting to grow.
