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Friday, November 23, 2007

Saving the famous Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya

With over 2,000-year-old legacy attached to it, the Bodhi tree at Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya has been revered by Buddhists and people of different faiths across the world. But its existence had come under challenge recently.

Following people chopping off its branches or taking twigs for keepsake, the Bodhi Tree's existence was under grave threat. But thanks to experts from Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute, the revered tree is now safe.

It could be possible after authorities at the Mahabodhi Temple approached the Forest Research Institute of Dehradun for its scientific expertise in reviving and saving the sacred tree.

According to Jitendra Shrivastav, District Collector and ex-officio Member of Mahabodhi Temple's Management Committee, scientists of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) will inspect and analyse the tree every six months.

"We have signed MoU for two years with Forest Research Institute (FRI). As per the understanding, Bodhi tree along with other trees on the site would fall into the management scheme. These people will visit the site twice a year and will submit their reports on the health status of the trees. The prescribed treatment will then be followed," said Shrivastav.

Besides, methods like DNA fingerprinting and virtual modelling of the tree are also being undertaken.

"With this technology at hand, we will be able to know about its future growth, its good and bad effects. Everything would be analyzed and decision would be taken as per it," Shrivastav added.

Members of the temple committee are hopeful that with extensive use of the latest technologies, the Bodhi tree will again become green and attractive.

One of such steps includes cataloguing of dead and cut branches of Bodhi tree and all other trees in its vicinity besides video-graphed record of their status. Besides, Cameras have been installed for round-the-clock surveillance so that any tampering by miscreants could be instantly discovered.

"Earlier, the Bodhi Tree looked stressed. It had begun shedding leaves on irregular basis, which caused the concern. Entire canopy turned shallow that was green some time back. After treatment, it has now revived with leaves having turned green. Even canopy is back in shape," said Dr. Nirmal Kumar Hans, Scientist, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.

"The problem was that it was affected by a pest, milivig. If this treatment wouldn't have been done, this pest would have resulted in the tree shedding all its (tree) leaves," he added.

Bodhi tree at the Mahabodhi Temple is known as "Sri MahaBodhi".

According to Buddhism, after His enlightenment, Lord Buddha spent a whole week in front of the tree, standing with unblinking eyes, gazing at it with gratitude. A shrine was later erected on the spot where he so stood, and was called the Animisalocana cetiya.

The spot was used as a shrine even in the lifetime of the Buddha, the only shrine that could be so used. Emperor Ashoka was most diligent in paying homage to the Bodhi tree, and held a festival every year in its honour in the month of Kattika as per Buddhist Calendar.

Source:ANI

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