Premier garden in Haryana for herbs

CH. Devi Lal Herbal Nature Park - Chuharpur, Yamunanagar, HaryanaThe Herbal Nature Park is situated at Chuharpur Reserved Forest near Khizrabad on Bhud Kalan road in Yamunanagar district. It is about 35 km from Yamunanagar, 130 km from Chandigarh and 255 km from Delhi. Chuharpur Reserved Forest has an area of 184 Acre, with medium tree density of Khair (Acacia catechu), Teak (Tectona grandis), Simbal, Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) etc. The park was opened on 6 November 2001.More than 300 species of medicinal trees, herbs, shrubs, climbers ferns and aquatic plants have been planted. Some of the important plants grown in the park are Ashwagandha, Sarpagandha, Safed Musali (Chlorophytum borivilianum L), Brahmi, Vach, Chitrak, Shatavari, Isabagol, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Pippali, Makoy, Bhumi amalki, Bahera, Gwarpatha, Harad, Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Rudraksh, Bael, Kalihari, Patharchur, Lemon grass, Liquorice, Jatropha, Palmarosa and Haldi (Turmeric).Shivalik hills have a rich history of medicinal plants and herbs. A repeated mention of "Kalika Kshetra" (now Kalka) is observed in ancient Sanskrit texts for its valuable medicinal plant wealth and flourishing trade in marketing of medicinal plants. India has one of the oldest and richest cultural heritage of using wild plants for treating various ailments. Our country is the birthplace of Ayurveda, the art and science of healthy living. This indigenous system of medicine thrives on naturally occurring flora diversity, collectively referred to as medicinal plants. The global interest in Ayurveda, which has a known history of treating and curing mankind across five millennia, has increased once again. It is in this context, Chaudhary Devi Lal Herbal Nature Park has been created and developed.Medicinal herbal plantation has been done under matured trees and along with tree plantation. Since the park spreads over a large area, a demonstrative herbal garden near the entrance has been made which displays more than 200 varieties of different medicinal plants on aesthetically designed herbal beds. This garden also provides sitting and walking places for tourists. Description of each plant and its uses has also been displayed through name plates. This is a major tourist attraction in the Park.Landscaping has been given important consideration for the development of this park. Meandering walkways and aesthetically designed herbal beds add to the beauty. Effective use of locally available raw material has been made resulting in a soothing design that blends with the natural forest surroundings. Presence of water bodies and circuitous walk ways add aesthetic appeal, attracting a large number of tourists.Due to the large size of the park the latest irrigation systems of drip, sprinkler and rain guns have been adopted. A 2.5 km long and 7 feet high chain link fence protects the Herbal Nature Park from by wild animals. A poly house on 500 sq m has been installed. The Poly House is helping in preparing planting material and establishing medicinal plants resource base for propagation and distributing to farmers. The green house helps in hardening young tender plants before plantation.A bamboo cottage serves as information center for the convenience of visitors in the park. Farmers' training camps are regularly organized here. A small man made lake has been dug parallel to Green House which is fed by Western Yamuna Canal. Some migratory birds have begun visiting this lake during winter. A small park has been developed at lake island for attracting children. An attempt is made to educate children by giving them a glimpse of valuable medicinal plants.The main objectives for developing this herbal park are:1. Conservation of medicinal plants of Haryana for study and research.2. Developing a gene-pool of indigenous and exotic plant species for conservation and propagation.3. Popularizing use of local medicinal and aromatic plants in the area.4. Establishment of sustainable medicinal plants resource base.5. Developing a centre for tourist attraction in Haryana to help popularizing Indian Ayurvedic System.6. Training of local people to popularize farming of economically viable medicinal species.4. Quality seed and seedling production for distribution to farmers.5. Trial of new medicinal species for introduction in agro-forestry models.6. Development of protocol for cultivation techniques for important medicinal plants as cash crops.7. Standardization of storage conditions.