Biggest aromatic garden in India inaugurated in Uttarakhand

• The research wing of Uttarakhand forest department on Sunday inaugrated the biggest aromatic garden of India in Lalkuan of Nainital district.
• Established in an area of over 3 acre, the garden has 140 different species of aromatic species from across India.
• The project was initiated in the year 2018-19 after approval of the Research Advisory Committee in June 2018 with objective of conservation of various aromatic species.

Aromatic Plant Species

• Aromatic plant species produce and emit a pleasant and distinctive smell. For example, rose, jasmine, are some examples of aromatic plant species.
• Aromatic plants contain aromatic compounds that are mainly essential oils, volatile at room temperature.
• This essential oil is odorous, volatile, hydrophobic, and highly concentrated compounds.
• Furthermore, it can be obtained from flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, wood, fruits, and roots of the plant.

Importance of aromatic plant species

• Aromatic plants are used in the making of perfumes, food, pharmaceutical, and liquor industries.
• These are also used for essential oil extraction for applications in industries such as cosmetics, flavoring and fragrance, spices, pesticides, repellents, and herbal beverages.
• Several of these plant species also have medicinal purposes and are also economically important.

Tulsi Vatika

• The garden has a Tulsi Vatika (garden) in place which houses more than 20 different species of tulsi, a medicinal plant in India that also has religious importance in the country.
• This includes Rama Tulsi, Shyam Tulsi, Van Tulsi, Kapoor Tulsi, African, Italian, and Thai Tulsi.

Other Aromatic plants

• Apart from the Tulsi Vatika, the garden also has 8 different sections

1. Aromatic leaves (lemon balm, rosemary, kapoor, and various mint species)
2. Aromatic flowers (chameli, mogra, rajnigandha, kewda)
3. Aromatic trees (chandan, neem, chameli, naglingam, parijat)
4. Aromatic rhizomes (Aama Haldi, Kali Haldi)
5. Aromatic seeds (Kasturi Bhindi, Badiilachyi, Timur, Ajwain)
6. Aromatic grasses (lemongrass, java grass, khas grass)
7. Aromatic bulbs (Red ginger, Sand ginger)
8. Aromatic roots (Pattharchur, Vach)