URBAN FORESTRY AT PRAGATI RESORTS, HYDERABAD

URBAN FORESTRY AT PRAGATI RESORTS, HYDERABAD

The future belongs to urban forestry. Today the farmers use chemicals in the fields which make the agro products greatly adulterated. The farmers are made to understand that crops can be raised only by using chemical fertilizers, and lost their roots in organic farming. So there is every need for towns and cities to focus on urban forestry and promotes herbal and medicinal plants. Gardens and trees help in reducing the temperature and controlling pollution. #http://www.pragatigreenliving.com/

Regarding gardening, every house is to be designed in such a way as per Vasthu. Vasthu means to develop constructions as per the direction of light, wind and water. The wind should move in the direction of carrying aroma of the plants into the house. Each house should be directed to realize proper flow of air and light. Water should be located towards the North i.e. Ashtadhikpalakas, a system given to which side of the house what should prevail. This knowledge is the one which we have lost, and which we have to revive. Some pertinent questions like why to North East bigger trees are not planted are answered by Vaasthu.

Indoor plants are being neglected totally. The inside of the house is painted with chemical-based paints. The lead and other chemicals in paint may cause many diseases. Even the AC in the house promotes bacteria and virus. So not only at homes but also in hospitals esp. Intensive Care Units (ICU) patients are not able to recoup post trauma and surgery. Hospital based diseases are on the rise, asthma and bronchitis are also on the rise. So, medicinal and herbal indoor plants are the only answer for all health problems.

Plants at the road sides have to be useful and withstand the vagaries of weather viz. heavy rain and strong winds. Now, we find roads blocked due to branches and trees breaking and uprooted by storms. This leads to frequent road jams, the electric and TV cables cut and the fall-out evident as long blackouts and disruption of normal life. Trees instead of protecting us have become a hazard for people and traffic on the roads. Pragati Resorts Hyderabad provides the right kind of plants for every purpose and those that we need for the future. The practice to grow useless plants from waste seeds needs to end.

Mosquito Free area at Pragati Resorts

Pragati’s efforts to create mosquito free environment across the region has been appreciated by the two Chief Ministers, Sri. K Chandrashekar Rao Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana and Sri. N. Chandrababu Naidu Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.  Both the Chief Ministers were kind enough to call upon the people of their states to replicate Pragati Model in every colony, village, town and city. Upon their advice, villagers, corporate and officials of both the Governments have been visiting Pragati for acquaintance on the innovative Gardening and Mosquito free spaces.

A large variety of Herbal, Aromatic plants which repel mosquitoes including a wide variety of Tulasi are propagated in Pragati Knowledge Park. Pragati has a distinguished team of Scientists, Taxonomists, Horticulturists and a skilled work force, who are round the clock doing R&D activities to develop higher strains of these Mosquito repellent plants and even gone a step-ahead by collaborating with Environment Protection Training and Research Institute – EPTRI for propagation of these plants through tissue culture to meet their ever growing demand.

Pragati’s distinguished work in the area of creating mosquito free environment has spread globally. The Government of India has acknowledged the work of Pragati. The contribution of Pragati has been recognized by United Nations Convention on Biodiversity at the Cop 11, MoP11 held in 2012 in the presence of 650 city mayors of the World. Pragati’s work has been recognised through more than 300 State, National and International awards. The objective of India’s Swachh Bharat’ can truly be achieved only through the replication of Pragati Model in all the villages, towns, cities and Metros across the Country.

The Mosquito free space developed by Pragati so far is only a drop in the Ocean. A lot of work based on Vedic knowledge and moorings needs to be done in this direction. For example by growing trees i.e. nurturing and developing root zones along the river banks the waters can be purified and made free of harmful bacteria and virus. Importantly, the roots of special plants release substances that keep the water clean, enhance its herbal and medicinal value, and protect the environment. All the age-old and traditional understanding of trees and natural balance will continue to provide us with new learning which will be relevant even for the next 100 years.

IMPORTANCE OF 21 GANAPATHI PATRIKAS

Om Gajananaya namaha

Om Ganadhyakshaya namaha

Om Vignarajaya namaha

Om Vinayakaya namaha

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi (Vināyaka Chaturthī) is the Hindu festival that reveres god Ganesha. A ten-day festival, it starts on the fourth day of Hindu luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada, which typically falls in Gregorian months of August or September.

The 11-day festival remembers Ganesha's birthday, and celebrates him as the god of good beginnings, prosperity and obstacle remover. It is observed throughout India. During India's freedom struggle, Lokmanya Tilak promoted Ganesh Chaturthi as the festival of national unity, peace and freedom.

 As per Hindu tradition, no ritual or ceremony in the household can be conducted without invoking Ganesha first. Ganapati or Ganesha or Vinayaka, is found in the Rigveda, where the role of Ganapati is described as "the seer among the seers, abounding beyond measure in food presiding among the elders and being the lord of invocation... while the hymn in mandala 10 nothing nearby or afar is performed without thee."

In line with our rich Vedic traditions, Pragati Group offers precedence to Lord Ganesha. Festivals, celebrations, events and get-togethers at Pragati are initiated only after invoking Ganesha. We have preserved and continued the sanctity and importance of Ganapathi pooja on the occasion of every Vinayaka Chavithi. All the 21 patrikas endearing to Ganapathi are sourced from our Sacred Vanams and made ready for use at Ganapathi pooja.

The 21 patrikas sourced fresh from mother nature at Pragati include, Machi patram, Brihathi patram, Bilva patram, Durvara patram, Dattura patram, Badari patram, Apamarga patram, Tulasi patram, Choota patram, Karaveera patram, Vishnu Kranta patram, Daadimee patram, Devadaaru patram, Maruvaka patram, Sindhuvara patram, Jaji patram, Gandaki patram, Shami patram, Aswatha patram, Arjuna patram, and Arka patram.

Lord ganesha is worshipped with 21 sacred patras or leaves. It is believed that worshipping Lord Ganesha with is favourite leaves pleases him. A pleased Ganesha will bestow strength, long life, wisdom, wealth and prosperity upon his beloved devotees. Hence 21 Patra Puja or 21 Sacred leaves worship has become an integral part of Ganesh pooja. This is the unique worshipping for Lord Ganesha.

Each patrika refers to a particular element of nature & part of the body. Vinayaka Chavithi Pooja is known to be the path to offer our body of 21 elements, Pancha Bhutas (5 great physical elements sky, air, fire, water and earth), Pancha Tanmatras (word, touch, sence, taste and smell), Pancha Jnanendriyas (ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose), Pancha Karmendriyas (feet, hands, mouth, rectum and genitals) and mind to Vinayaka “The Almighty”.

Significance of catchment area plantations

Significance of catchment area plantations?:-

Pragati has the experience and expertise in developing medicinal and herbal plantations along the catchment area. This is very important as water flowing from hills as little streams enters rivers and water cuts the roots to release the medicine into water. This is why the river waters are considered as sacred rivers. Plants like Triphala and others which have high medicinal and herbal value are to be planted along the river banks.

Many places in India are river fed and have a huge catchment area. Plants with high medicinal and herbal value can be planted along rivers across India. The herbal and medicinal plants are planted in the catchment areas as part of root zone plantation so that water flowing towards the low areas turns sacred and purified. Unfortunately, there have been no efforts in the direction of promoting Root Zone Plantation at all the catchment areas.

Pragati has taken steps to promote Root Zone Plantation by nurturing special herbal and medicinal plants for the purpose. As part of water harvesting at Pragati different plants like Lotus, Acacia Catachu, and Amla are planted along the catchment area. The unique method of root zone plantation at Pragati converts the water from catchment areas into sacred and divine water with high medicinal value.

World Mosquito Day

Why Taxonomy Education is important for School Children

Dr G.B.K. Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of Pragati says that, school children need education in Taxonomy. He shares his childhood experiences when he used to collect Vanamulikas, which is in line with our rich ancient traditions where gurukula students were sent to collect Vanamulikas, and taught how to herd the cows.

It is very unfortunate that children today are totally unaware of value of herbal and medicinal plants. When asked how rice is produced, the reply is that machines produce rice, and how milk is obtained, the answer is that their watchman brings milk packets. The alienation of our children from our rich culture and heritage has to be ended, and children provided with basic knowledge of life, agriculture, and nature. The school children should be provided enough opportunities to visit Pragati’s Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Park to understand agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and epiculture. These visits should be made part of the project work of school children.

The future is definitely in our students. Pragati is focused on students, especially the school children. We will provide training programs in such a way that they will never forget in their lives. We have examples viz. we take them to the tree where the seed is just sprouting. Ask them to remove this sapling with their finger, and it is easy to do so. But when asked to remove a big tree, they cannot. It teaches the children a big lesson, things that can be done during childhood cannot be done during adulthood.

Training should convey simple messages viz. coconut water cleans and keeps the liver healthy. When the liver is kept healthy, it will say that, even in your next life I will come into you. When one takes Pepsi and Coke, the liver cries and says “I will never come into your body again.” No book gives children this practical knowledge. The knowledge of Taxonomy has to be given to children. Knowledge of 21 patrikas is essential.

Each deity has got his/her own patrikas. For example, Lalitha Tripurasundari has to be offered a special type of flowers and leaves. For Satyanarayana Vratham some other varieties of flowers and fruits are required. Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and Lord Brahma require special flowers who know all these as parks are also lacking these special trees and plants.

The flowers and leaves offered to deities remove a particular disease. So we are going to bring the culture. It is not a myth as the aroma we are going to get, and the deity, that disease is being taken care. This is all about the medicinal value of the plants. Each Devata has got the type of flowers they need, fruits and seeds. In this direction we need to think.

Importance of Vanamulikas

Importance of Vanamulikas (herbal & medicinal plants) and Cows for a healthy and happy life:-

The sacred “Vanamulikas” available on Aushadi Parvatham (mountain) situated between Kailash and Nandi Parvathams (mountains) in the Himalayas. It is considered that there is no Kailasam without Nandi, Rushulu, and Eeshwarudu. The herbs grown at Pragati transform the place into Kailasam.

Vanamulikas and cows help in the creation of Vyadirahitha Samajam. In the good old days, the cows were allowed to move freely in the gardens and forests where they grazed on vanamulikas or medicinal plants. These became part of the milk the cows provided, and secured the health of the people consuming this milk. In the present times, where cows are fed grass with no medicinal value, and tied all day to remain in cow sheds provide milk that has neither nutritional or medicinal value.

At Pragati, the Desi cows are reared and allowed free to graze at our medicinal and herbal gardens. This means a healthy cow and nutritious milk from cows. Exercise and activity is good for cows and humans as well. Due to lack of exercise and activity it is leading to dangerous diseases and health problems. The increasing number of caesarean operations in women in the modern time is basically due to inactivity and sedentary life during pregnancy time.

Cows should be reared in open farms with lots medicinal and herbal plants. There is an inordinate link between herbs and cows, as the herbs they each reaches humans and plants through milk, cow ghee, cow urine and cow dung. When cows move around in nature and graze on different plants and herbs, they are very selective in choosing the right type of plants. In the recent decades, we have witnessed the drastic fall in the number of Punganoor cows. This is because of their death during delivery as the cows have been kept in one place, fed there, with no movement at all.

The knowledge of this inter-relationship between cows, trees and humans need to be understood and the cows and plants need to be protected. Our ancestors have visualized this inordinate link between cows and nature and passed it to generations to come. However, the modern methods of farming have brought ruin of health, happiness and peace due to discontinuity of providing free movement to the cows and their grazing on medicinal and herbal plants.

The Vanamulikas include 21 patrikas which are the Aarogya Pradatas and Prana Pradatas. These vanamulikas were used by our ancestors for ages to safeguard and protect the health of individuals and society. The Vinayaka Chavithi festival celebrates the importance of nature and vanamulikas in our lives. Each and every person should know the importance of vanamulikas for a happy and healthy life. The 21 patrikas or medicinal plants include Machipati, Vakudaku, Maredu, Garika, Ummettha, Regu, Uttareni, Tulasi, Mamidaku, Ganneru, Vishnu Kanthi, Danimma, Devadaru, Maruvam, Vavili, Jajiaaku, Devakanchanam, Jammiaaku, Ravi aaku, Tellamaddi and Jilledu.

We have a definite answer for questions like, why are flowers offered to gods? The flowers and leaves have the aroma on inhaling which the toxins in the body are removed. The “Vyadirahitha Samajam” is established only because of herbs. When flowers and leaves are brought into the house “Intillipadi” get the benefit of health and happiness. The whole village or town is benefited when flowers and leaves are arranged in temples.

It is said that, “Kaligitta Dhuli Tagilithe Bhoomi Phulakarishtundi” (With the touch of cow’s hoof the Earth is enriched and enlightened). It means that the Cow’s touch forms humus. The importance of humus is that it converts minerals of the Earth into food. All parts of the Cow when in contact with the Earth forms humus. When the Cow is fed with Til and Gud….. for 8 days, on the 9^th day the cow gives milk rich in DHA that can treat diabetes and other health problems. So Cows help in removing Grahadosha. If you offer “Navadanyas” to the cow, it will remove all health problems with milk getting enhanced with “Sapthadhatus.” If the body has all the Sapthadhatus there can be no scope for all health problems. Even if diseases are there, they are cured.

Pragati aims to bring back the rich culture and traditions of India. For example, honey has no expiry date. There are 5 substances that do not change with change, as time passes these become highly valued herbs – Honey, Cow Ghee, Gud, Rice and Imli. We have forgotten these and there needs to be comprehensive thinking in this direction. Pragati’s efforts are only few drops in the ocean, and there is much more that Pragati can give people of Andhra Pradesh get benefitted a role model state to follow.

Biodiversity Redefined by Pragati Bio-diversity Knowledge Park, Hyderabad

India presents rich biodiversity. The significance of India’s biodiversity is that, it has become an integral part of our culture and traditions since times immemorial. In the present, the whole world looks towards India’s rich medical heritage as it emerges as the world’s greatest healing system. So, the significance of our biodiversity, ayurveda, yoga and meditation find renewed emphasis and interest. Since 1994, Pragati Group based in Hyderabad consumed by passion to ensure happy and healthy life for all has been working towards creating the “Vyadi Rahita Samajam” by harnessing the health giving and healing power of Vanamulikas (herbal & medicinal plants) and Gomatha (cows).

Dr. G.B.K. Rao, the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Pragati Bio-Diversity Knowledge Park strongly believes that the only answer to the two potential threats – ‘Hunger’ and ‘Pollution’ is “Vruksho Rakshati Rakshitaha & Gow Samrakshana”. He started his journey to create what is today Pragati Bio-Diversity Knowledge Park, Hyderabad a globally renowned man made biodiversity park. His passion and love for nature & its ecological balance has only grown since then. Pragati Bio-diversity Knowledge Park promoted by Pragati Green Meadows and Resorts Ltd under the leadership of Dr G.B.K. Rao promotes and realizes self sustainable Green Living spaces.

Pragati Group’s trailblazing legacy of two decades can be retraced to its profound reverence for safeguarding the purity of the Pancha bhootas, the five elements of Indian ethos- air, water, fire, earth and sky. And their deep rooted belief for upholding the principles of ‘Vruksho Rakshati Rakshitaha’ and ‘Gow Samrakshana,’ viz., the significance of the cattle and the ecology as depicted in all the images of Lord Sri Krishna, which is the basis of leading a holistic life, full of contentment and prosperity.

The Group has been recognised by United Nations and the global community for successfully maintaining the balance of nature to sustain the ecology at its Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad. The Park spread over 2500 acres, a substantial part of which was barren being a limestone (Sudda) quarry has been transformed into a lush green, biodiverse, self sustainable living space based on the practices of Indian scientific traditions and sacred methodologies. The herbal and medicinal plants, which are our age-old Prana Pradatas and Arogya Pradatas have been arranged at various pockets here. These healing herbs remove toxins and refresh an individual through aroma therapy. They have thereby enabled to make the area completely free from mosquitoes, bad bacteria and virus.

Another remarkable feat achieved at Pragati is the ongoing collection of rare species of cattle including heritage cows and bulls of Punganoor, Ongole, Giri, Sahival, Tharparkar and Kapil besides rare breeds of Mountain sheep at its Gowshala. Not to talk of the 65 varieties of birds that found a secured habitat here as per the WWF survey. The place is cohabited by 15 to 20 rare animal species too. This has been possible by resorting to ancient natural farming methodologies.

A wide variety of compost fertilisers including bio-fertilisers-Vermicompost, Cowdung, Green Leaf Mold, Bio pests, Neem, Tulasi, Ganuaga, Gow Mutra and cow based products are generated and used productively here. Pragati Sanjeevani Nursery boasts of many heritage medicinal plants and aromatic plants besides 100 varieties of vegetables and fruits. More than a billion seeds per day are produced from Mother Plants here. All in all Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park Hyderabad has created one of its kind genome banks in the world for a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Pragati has taken a gigantic task of identifying rare sacred herbal and medicinal plants. The valuable heritage plants treasure is planted in groups of specific importance. These Pavitra Vrikshalu (sacred vanams) such as Navagraha Vanam, Nakshatra Vanam, Rasi Vanam, Panchbhoota Vanam, Parijata Vanam, Kadamba Vanam, Sugandha Vanam, Ganapathi 21 Patrika Vanam etc are planted here to get the desired impact as enshrined in our Vedas.

Pragati has obtained two patents for sweet diabetic honey and another for MR-777, which reduces the Creatine Phospho-Kinase (CPK) level in children suffering from muscular dystrophy. Pragati is in the process of obtaining patents for many more formulations. Pragati Bio Pharma has discovered a unique herb with medicinal properties for prevention of Breast Cancer and named it as Urginea Raogibikei. It is in the process of getting recognition from Small Business Innovation Research Intiative (SBIRI) for its anti-cancer therapeutic qualities.

The crowning glory of the group has been United Nation’s recommendation to replicate Pragati’s rich experience as declared by the present and former Executive Secretaries at UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias (UN Executive Secretary, Convention of Bio-diversity) and Ahmed Djoghlaf (Former UN Executive Secretary, Convention of Bio-diversity) at the 11th Conference on biodiversity held in Hyderabad during 2012 urging the gathering of 650 mayors from 195 countries to do so.

Another development in the recent years has been Shri K Chandrashekhar Rao, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana asking people as to ‘ Why not we repeat Pragati’ in Hyderabad and across the state. This clarion call has been given by him in every public rally and while addressing the government machinery. As a result many study teams comprising of government, elected representatives and public have been visiting the Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad to study the Pragati model. It has culminated into a series of prestigious events including the conference of the Association of Retired Judges of Supreme Court, the All India UPSC Summit and Telangana’s newly elected Corporator’s Conference being organised by the state government.

Also the International Conference on Biodiversity being attended by representatives from 40 countries organised by government of India held at Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad in the last couple of years. Thereby Pragati’s message of developing a clean and green environment with special focus on herbal and aromatic plants has spread like fire from village to village, from one city to another. Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad is recognised as a Tourism destination for promotion and development of Horticulture, Ayurveda, and Naturopathy besides reviving the rich tradition of Indian Culture by promoting Festivals, Agriculture, Ayurvedic Medicines, Spa & Aroma Therapy, Herbal Food, Bio and Eco Tourism, all under one roof.

Government and private bodies have acknowledged the notable contribution of Pragati as a global university for learning and skill development in Herbal plantations, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Apiculture other than the above mentioned areas. With these myriad hues of life enlivening the horizon of Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park Hyderabad the Group moves ahead to serve humanity, upholding the motto of ‘live and let live.’

Medicinal plants and organic vegetables at Pragati Hyderabad

Medicinal plants and organic vegetables at Pragati Hyderabad

Largest Biodiversity Knowledge Park at Pragati Hyderabad

Largest Biodiversity Knowledge Park at Pragati Hyderabad