Bhagavata Purana says that in the begnning of Creation when God created the Solar System and Planets Earth, there was water all over. Later, plants were created and wild jungles grew everywhere. Emperor Prindu started farming by clearing the jungles and raising the crops. That is how agriculture came into existence.
The discovery of ancient Palm-leaf texts of “Vriksha Shastra” (Science of Plants) and of Vriksha Ayurveda (Medicinal treatment of Plant diseases) proves a long scientific tradition of Botany (to borrow a modern name-plate). The Ramayana describes medicinal herbs Sanjeevani etc. brought by Hanuman to revive Lakshmana from a fatal injury in battle from which he sank into coma !
Vedic Botony found in the Ancient Sanskrit classifies plants on the basis of Morphology or structural shape, medicinal properties and special qualities. Classification is based on
a. Ecology/geographical distribution of plants,
b. Environment of Plant
c. Medicinal or curative properties of plant
d. Vanaspathy Plants
e. Spiritual Plants
f. Water Plants
Extensive research in the field of medicinal plants and herbs and natural farming based on references from “Vriksha Sastra” and “Vriksha Ayurveda” at Rishi Vatika. An area of 20 acres is reserved for the medicinal plants, herbs and nurseries. Around 350 saplings of different varieties (Mango, Jack, Jamun, Amalaka, Badam, oudambara have been planted. It is targeted to plant around 10,000 saplings to make the surrounding green in coming years.
About 20 acres of land has been brought under cultivation and Horse gram, Tomato, ground nut and vegetables have been cultivated.
Herbarium
Rishi Vatika aims to develop a Herbarium:
- With more than hundred herbs to be planted and developed for providing health benefits to human beings and
- To nurture rare herbs that is not popularly known to the medicinal fraternity in spite of their efficacy
- To research in to the properties and medicinal effectiveness of the special and even popular herbs
- To work for development of systems and research facilities to grow them (herbs and rare medicinal plants) in a viable scale for advantages
- To protect rare herbs from extinction and neglect
- To patent and popularize the medical qualities and properties of plants and herbs and roots
- To contribute to eco-friendly environment
- To maintain green planet concepts
- To train semi-skilled persons in preservation of rare and medicinal plants
- To publish books and technical papers to elucidate the uses and techniques of research
- To provide models and modules to promote the herbs and medicinal plants
- To establish a training center to work for the objectives
Medicinal Plant Farm
Extensive research would also be performed in the field of medicinal plants and herbs based on references from Ayurveda at Rishi Vatika. Plants grown in here would be made available to interested organizations, members, school and colleges to promote the use of herbs as medicines and for other needs. About 20 acres of land has been reserved for raising medicinal plants. Around 12 different types of herbs have been identified for immediate growing. More will be done in the future.
Nurseries
A Nursery will be developed to help students and enthusiasts identify and learn the techniques of growing plants.
Horticulture
350 saplings of different varities (Mango, Mallika etc, Jact, Jamun, Amalaka (Usiri, Nellikaya or goose berry), badam are planted. Flower plants include Jasmine, Sampangi, Hibiscus etc. Oudambara is a very big variety which is associated with Lord Dattatreya. Many Oudambara trees are planted. Tweleve acres of land has been brought under cultivation. Horse gram crop is in growth. Nearly half an acre of vegetable garden is raised and is giving good results. Vegetables include: Green leafy Vegetables (Gongura, Thotakura, Mullangi /Mooli). Other varities of Green Vegetables (Kheera, French Beans, Brinjals, Ladies Fingers, bottle guard) are also raised.