Banatirtha: Nature’s abode

(SahirRaunaque Hussain)
Beside the busy and rushing NH 15 of Narayanpur in
Lakhimpur lies a tranquil garden named "Banatirtha”.
Banatirtha is a botanical garden cum children park project
established in the year 2004 by Dr. Prabin Saikia a retired
professor of Bihpuria College, Department of Assamese.
Established with the objective of connecting people with
nature as well as conservation of endangered plant species,
Banatirtha is home to more than two thousand different plant
species.It has many rare species like Sarpagandha / Snakeroot
(Rauvolfia serpentina), Giant Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia
diversifolia) Chromolaena odorata, Aristolochia littoralis,
Gnetum gnemon, Artemisia Annua and the most endangered
Centrostaehys Aquatica /Achiranthes Aquatica locally known
as Shat-phool used in Ayurvedic medicines and was used for
making edible salt during ancient and medieval Assam.Its
name is mentioned in the IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2017. Dr Saikia says, many experts throughout the
state regards Eupatorium Cannabinumto be Shat-Phooland
another group of experts denies the existence of Shat-Phool
saying it to be an imaginary plant. However Dr Saikia
confirmed that Shat-Phool is Centrostaehys Aquatica /
Achiranthes Aquatica and Eupatorium Cannabinumis is
another plant species which is locally known as Tangloti. Dr
Saikia proved its existence by growing it at his garden and
preparing edible salt from it. Things that make Banatirtha
different from other such gardens, parks or nurseries is that it
has been organizing meetings against superstition and blind
beliefs as well as conservation of local endangered plants and
animals to create awareness among people. Banatirthahas
become a center of attraction for the children as it has been
conducting cultural and musical workshops for children as
well as introducing them the skill of gardening with many
other such hobby cultivating activities. It also has a children
park, a library and a mini-museum which are presently under
construction. Dr Saikia through Banatirtha conveys the
message that every individual can make their contribution
towards preserving our local culture and tradition by simply
preserving our local plants and animal species. This will also
be helpful in protecting our environment and ecology.
Banatirtha strives to conserve indigenous plant species along
with the historical and cultural significance attached to them.