Imagine tying rakhi to a tree!

No guesses here. Students of University of Jammu celebrated Raksha Bandhan in a unique style when they tied rakhis to trees to sent across the message of saving environment and making people aware about the benefits of plants in daily lives.

Organised by the Department of Botany, University of Jammu, the event was held in the sprawling Botanical Garden where participants tied sacred threads to plants having heritage, medicinal and aesthetic value. They included tulsi, temple tree (plumeria), camphor, paarijaat, chandan, panchmikhi rudraaksh, timbru, mahua, putranjiva, peepal, sohanjana, chandani and many more.

More than 60 students, research scholars and faculty members participated. “They expressed their affection and harmony towards nature, and took pledge to protect and conserve the nature and its resources for cleaner, greener and healthier prospects,” said a spokesman of University of Jammu.

Prof Yash Pal Sharma, Head, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, said besides strengthening the family bonds, it is increasingly imperative to develop a strong relationship with the flora and fauna in the present times.

“Science has proved that the plants can also sense, feel, understand and communicate and are the saviours of humanity. Therefore, let us protect and care for them,” he said.

Prof Sharma said it was not just a symbolic gesture and that they are actually in the process of implementing it in research and other routine activities. “We are sensitising the students so that they in turn sensitise others,” he said.

Meanwhile, Army jawans and locals celebrated Raskha Bandhan festival in the border areas of Lower Krishna Ghati, Jhullas and Mendhar in the Poonch district of Jammu on Sunday.

“Young girls of various schools and colleges went to the nearby Army units at Lower Krishna Ghati and Jhullas to tie rakhis to jawans. The girls from Nari Niketan at Mendhar also tied rakhis to jawans at Mendhar. The initiative was reciprocated by the Army personnel with enthusiasm,” said a Defence spokesman at Jammu.