UP government wants schools to plant Sahjan, lemon saplings this year

LUCKNOW: ‘Sahjan’ (moringa oleifera) and ‘Nimbu’ (lemon) is what the UP government wants its schools to plant during this year’s plantation drive. The UP government has set a target of 25 crore saplings to be planted this year. Of this, the responsibility to plant 23 lakh trees rest with education department — basic, secondary, higher and technical.
According to a recent order issued by the basic education director, Sarvendra Vikram Bahadur Singh to all district basic education officers, five saplings each of the wonder crop, Sahjan, and of lemon, the fruit bearing tree are to be compulsorily planted in the school garden.Lemon trees are to be planted in a way that they act as a fence to this garden and Sahjan is to be used to make a nutritious meal, the order states.
Officials said, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has, in a meeting held with forest department officers, stressed upon the need to plant Sahjan and lemon saplings due to their medicinal properties.
Mukesh Kumar, mission director in-charge for 25 crore plantation for 2020 said, “Sahjan is a miracle tree. From its leaves, to fruits and flowers, every part is useful. Lemon too has numerous health benefits. Students will make most of these plants.”
Sahjan, which bears fruit within a year of its plantation, is also useful in Ayurveda. It helps cure liver diseases and has also been found helpful in preventing cancer. Lemon is an effective exigent food which helps improves the digestive system and is promoted as a weight loss food.
In addition, other fruit-bearing trees like guava, mango, papaya, pomegranate, jackfruit, golden apple (bael), gooseberry (amla), neem and rose are to be planted during the plantation drive considering the agro-climatic conditions.