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Chandigarh, Oct 28 (IANS) The Museum of Trees in Chandigarh, funded by the Union Culture Ministry, on Tuesday added a new attraction with the plantation of the Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) tree, famous across the world as the source of the famous Manuka honey.
The plant, which was propagated at the museum’s Plant Breeding Centre, was planted in the Kiwi Grove, an enclosure dedicated to New Zealand’s iconic trees. The grove already houses three of New Zealand’s most notable species – kauri, totara and black beech.
Museum of Trees curator DS Jaspal, author of ‘Tryst with Trees: Punjab’s Sacred Heritage’, told IANS that the Kiwi Grove has been envisioned as a place of learning and exploration, helping visitors experience the biodiversity of distant lands and understand how trees connect cultures and continents.
Funded by the Ministry of Culture and promoted by the Chandigarh Nature and Health Society, the Museum of Trees is the world’s first project dedicated to the conservation and promotion of sacred, rare and culturally significant trees through scientific conservation. With over 350 species from India and around the world – including actual genotypes of the 12 sacred trees of Sikhism, which have been successfully reproduced through cloning – the museum serves as a living repository of botanical and cultural heritage.
Speaking on the occasion, Aman Jaspal, Assistant Curator of the Museum, said, “The Kiwi Grove symbolizes the vibrant friendship between India and New Zealand, reminding us that ecological harmony knows no boundaries.”
The Manuka sapling was ceremoniously planted by Joanna Gill, sister-in-law of former New Zealand cricket captain Glenn Turner, marking a symbolic moment of ecological friendship between India and New Zealand.
The inclusion of Manuka reinforces the Museum’s mission to connect global cultures through the shared heritage of trees and showcase the world’s diverse tree heritage in the heart of Chandigarh – nurturing awareness, curiosity and care for the natural world.
–IANS
VG/UK