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Sikhism is eco-friendly "Sikhism
is not only one of the most modern and scientific religions but is
also environment friendly," says Mr Damanbir Singh Jaspal, an IAS
officer of the 1976 batch, who has just completed his research,
documenting 48 historic Sikh shrines that are commemorated by the
names of 17 native species of trees. This uniqueness of identifying
its most sacred places of worship with common trees is unprecedented.
Perhaps no other religion has given importance to vegetation the way
Sikhism has. If trees and forests were the centre for meditation and
communion with the Creator for the first five Sikh Gurus, they
provided security, shelter and sustenance for the last five Gurus who
spent most of their time in the jungles, fighting the Muslims. Says
Mr Jaspal: "The profusion of allusions and references to trees,
nature and environment in Guru Granth Sahib and the
commemoration of scared shrines by popular species of trees can be
explained by the vigorous outdoor life and travels of the Sikh Gurus,
who were probably the most mobile among all religious preachers of the
world." Even the Gurbani refers to various species of trees,
eulogising species, which are useful to mankind. The Gurus inferred
that it is not the girth, size, or beautiful flowers that determine
the significance of a tree but it is its usefulness that makes it
important for mankind. That may perhaps be the reason that
"Simbal", a huge tree with big attractive colourful flowers,
did not find favour with them. "Simbal rukh saraira, att
deeragh att much, Oye je awae aas kar, Jaye nirase kit, Fal fikke
ful bakbake, Kum na awae patt, Mithat neevein Nanaka, Gun
changayian tatt." This sloka from the Gurbani says that
though the tree of Simbal is a huge tree and has big colourful flowers
that attract birds, they go back disappointed as the flowers lack
nectar. Even the leaves of the tree are of no use. It is not the huge
size but humbleness that marks usefulness. Of the 17 species of trees
researched by Mr Jaspal during his six-month long project, he found
that since zizyphus jube has sweet fruit; Jand (prospis spicigera) has
leaves that are used for feeding horses; Neem (margassa) has
medicinal value; Tahli (shisham, state tree of Punjab) has
wood; Imli (tamarind) has both food and medicinal value; they found
favour with the Sikh Gurus. The trees that have sanctity in Sikhism
include Bohr (Ficus bengalensis), Pipli (Ficus
religiosa), Jand (Prosopis spicigera), Garna (Capparis
horrida), Karir (Capparis aaphylla), Phalahi (Acacia
modeta), Reru (Mimasa leucophloea), Luhura (Cordia
latifolia), Tahli (Shisham), Imli (Tamarind), Amb (Mangifera
indica), Harian velan, Neem (margassa), Ritha (Sapindus
mukorosa), Kalp (Mitragina parvifolia) and Ber (Zizyphus
jujube), says Mr Jaspal. Clusters of such useful trees were
invariably the sites selected by the travelling Gurus as the halting
places for shade as well as shelter. Besides these trees were also
sources of nourishment for the Guru’s entourage. After the departure
of the Guru from the site, the trees were remembered for their
association with the Guru and were later commemorated by building
shrines around them. It is one reason why, he says, some of the trees
preserved in historic shrines were older than 400 years. One such
example is Gurdwara Tahli Sahib in Garhshankar in Nawanshahr. Dr
Jaspal’s research took him to Leh where Guru Nanak had gone during
his second of the four Udasis. The local legend in Leh has it
that Datun (Margossa) sprouted from a datun planted by
Guru Nanak. The tree is greatly revered by Muslims and Buddhists alike
for its sanctity, adds Mr Jaspal. Though Mr Jaspal plans to write a
book soon, he has decided to hold exhibitions of the photographs of
these 48 historic shrines featuring the 17 species of trees. The
entire project has been sponsored by the WWF. Says he: "It was
interesting as it not only took me to all historic Sikh shrines but
provided me with an insight into how scientific Sikh Gurus were. The
world started talking about environment and ecological balance only
during the past three to four decades while the Gurus realised their
significance more than 500 years ago. In the same manner, the world
has realised how dangerous smoking is for human beings. And the Gurus
had prohibited their disciples from smoking." Mr Jaspal has now
decided to pursue his interest further through his Chandigarh Nature
and Health Society, an NGO which has obtained stems of four of the
most sacred trees associated with the Sikh shrines, namely beri of
Dukh Bhanjani Beri of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Beri of Baba Budha (also of
Sri Harmandir Sahib), Beri of Gurdwara Ber Sahib of Sultanpur Lodhi
and Beri of Lachi Ber of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Inducement of rooting
in these stems is now being attempted in simulated environment through
a mist chamber, shade house, growth hormones to promote rooting, adds
Mr Jaspal, hoping that "propagation of these historic trees will
generate awareness and respect for nature in general and environment
in particular."
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