Biggest Aromatic Garden of India Opens in Nainital, Uttarakhand

Recently, a beautiful aromatic garden, having 140 fragrant plant species across India, like Tulsi, Chandan, Parijat, etc., planted across 3 acres of land, was opened in Lalkuan, Nainital. As per forest officials, this garden is the biggest such facility in the country. This project has been developed by the research wing of the Uttarakhand Forest Department with the Centre's Compensatory Afforestation (CAMPA) Funds.

Main Purpose of Garden:

• The main purpose of such a garden is to preserve, promote research of and create awareness around various aromatic plants species. Veena Rao, an aroma plant consultant from Maharashtra, who inaugurated the garden said, “The aroma industry has a large scope. Villagers can look forward to a promising livelihood from nurturing these plants. It will also prevent these species from dying out. In the upcoming time, the garden will be spread to 113 acres”.

• In 2018, work on the garden started as per the forest officials involved in the project. While describing the garden, they added that aromatic species from all over the country were brought to Nainital and conserved here, like Agarwood from North East, Chandan from South India, Kewada from coastal regions, and Parijat from the Terai zone.

Major Sections of Aromatic Garden:

This aromatic garden consists of eight sections. One section is just for plants with aromatic leaves, like Lemon Balm, Rosemary, Mint, etc. Another section has varieties with aromatic barks like Chandan, Parijat & Nagalingam.

Aromatic Rhizome (underground stem) Section having Aama Haldi and Kali Haldi plants

Aromatic Seeds Section has Kasturi Bhindi (Ambrette), Timur, and Black Cardamom, etc

Grass Section of aromatic plant has Java, Khas and Lemon plants

Aromatic Bulbs Section has Red Ginger (also called Pink Cone Ginger) and sand ginger plants.

Aromatic Roots Section has Patharchur and Vach plants.

Tusli Vatika inside the garden has around 20 different species – including Rama Tulsi, Shyama Tulsi, Kapoor Tusli as well as variants that grow in Africa, Thailand, and Italy.