How tree planting and Conservation enforced in Ancient India. The Rulers and Sages of the ancient days exhorted the people about the benefits they accrue from planting and protecting trees (especially the sacred trees). For doing so, reasons were invented, which include gaining moksha(salvation) and reaching heaven, absolving the sins of the past generations and so on. As a result of such beliefs, people always took care of the trees and tree planting became not only a passion but became an essential component of their “karma” (duty). In Matsya Purana, chapter 59 is devoted to the prescription of dedicating trees, planting trees and their maintenance. Here we get the long-lasting benefits of planting trees: “If anybody plant at least one tree he will be able to stay in heaven of Indra for thirty thousand years. The planter of trees liberates the same number of his past and future sins, attains the highest perfection and is never reborn on earth.” The rites and ceremonies connected with the dedication and consecration of trees are also mentioned. This idea is repeated in other Puranas too: Agni Purana says: ‘The plantation of trees and construction of pleasure garden (for the public) are conducive to the purgation of sin and enjoyment of prosperity.” Vayu Purana stresses: “He never goes to hell who plants an aśvattha (peepal), a pitchumanda (neem) or a banyan or ten jasmines or two pomegranates or five mango trees. Never cut down trees that bear flowers and fruits if you desire the increase of your family or your wealth and your future happiness.” Let me quote an interesting passage from Padma Purana. “O Lord of Kings, he who thus installs (the plants) a tree, would also live in heaven as long as three myriads of Indras (rule there) and would save (from falling into hell), past and future men (i.e. his relatives) equal to the number of hairs on the body. He attains great prosperity, making rebirth difficult. Even that man who listens to this or makes others listen to it (i.e. read it to others) is honoured by gods and in the world of Brahman (Brahma loka, Meaning heaven).. The tree alone makes a sonless person have a son. They offer libations to plants at sacred places. O, Lord of Kings, plant an aśvattha (Peepal) tree even with great effort. It alone will give you a thousand sons. And by planting an aśvattha tree, a man becomes wealthy; the aśoka tree destroys grief. The plaksha (Palaas, fire of the forest ) tree is said to bestow the fruit of a sacrifice, the kshira tree (any of the fig trees), is said to give long life, jambuka (rose apple planting) bestows daughters, dadima (pomegranate) gives a wife, aśavttha leads to the destruction of diseases, and plaksha takes one to brahman. A man who plants a vibhutaka (belleric myrobalan) tree becomes a ghost. The planting of an ankola (ankolam, Alangium salvifolium) tree leads to the expansion of family. Planting of a khadira (Cutch tree ) tree gives health. The Sun is ever pleased with nimba ( neem) shoots. Lord Śiva is pleased when a tree is planted and Parvathi is pleased when a red lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) is planted. The celestial nymphs are pleased with the planting of simsapa ( sita-asoka) and the Gandharvas with the kunda (Jasmine) plants. One would get a group of servants if one plants tintidika (Rhus parviflora) tree. Similarly, the planting of vanjula ( Salix caprea) leads to the rise of robbers. Chandana (Santalum album) and panasa (jack fruit) also give religious merits and love. Planting of champaka gives good fortune and that of karira ( kair tree, Capparis decidua) makes one adulterer. Planting of tala ( Borassus flabellifer) destroys one’s progeny, while planting of vakula (bakula, Mimusops elengi) ) expands the family. The planting of coconut tree brings many wives, while planting of a grape-creeper makes one have all beautiful wives. Similarly, planting of kali (Kali turgidum, thimble weed) causes sexual enjoyment. Planting of ketaki (Pandanus tectorius) destroys one’s enemies..... Those who have planted trees will attain high position…” In course of time, sacred groves and groves of sacred plants came into existence. The Picture included is that of a typical sacred grove. ( To be continued )