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January 26, 2009
Thousands of Tulsi (basil) saplings were planted around the Taj Mahal in Agra on Monday to insulate the marble monument against atmospheric pollution.
The saplings were distributed free at several points in the city by local forest officials and people were encouraged to participate in the plantation drive.
ORGANIC INDIA Pvt. Ltd., a multinational company based in Lucknow that exports Tulsi products to the US, Europe and Israel, has extended support to the programme.
Zonal forest conservator R.P. Bharti said that the plantation had been taken up on a massive scale on forest land, between rows of tall trees, "We have a target of planting 20 lakh Tulsi plants within the next two months. We are asking various schools and gram panchayats to join us in this drive," he said.
According to the official, the Tulsi plants will serve to insulate the Agra environment from pollution and will indirectly take care of the heritage monuments, including the Taj Mahal.
"The tulsi plant has very good absorptive quality that cleans the air of foul gases. Because the plant has religious significance too, we expect the people to take care of it," he explained.
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