Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Aug: A group of prominent citizens from different walks of life, led by educationist and Chairman of SBS University SP Singh, has submitted a memorandum to Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) urging him to recommend the declaration of Tabebuia as the memorial tree of Dehradun and adopt it as the designated species for commemorative and remembrance plantation in the city.
The memorandum, submitted to the Governor at Lok Bhavan, has been signed by 13 citizens from various walks of life including education, performing arts, sports, agriculture and public life. The signatories include educationist and Gaurav Bharti Shiksha Sansthan Chairman SP Singh, well known Threatre Guru and cultural activist Alok Ulfat, Manager of SBS University Zorawar Singh, former hockey coach and environmentalist PK Mehrishi, actor and musician Swayamsiddha Mohapatra, chartered accountant and woodworker Jasvinder Singh Sudan, cultural director of Nanhi Dunya, Ashu Savitrika Goyal, progressive dairy farmer Lalit Badakoti, progressive organic farmer Deepak Upadhyay, teacher and poet Avnish Malasi, Municipal Corporator Swati Dobhal, UI/UX researcher Kudrat Singh and advocate and horticulture enthusiast Manvendra Pratap Singh Bisht.
The memorandum said that declaring Tabebuia as the memorial tree would also provide a fixed local identity in Dehradun to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, which could be observed every year during Harela.
The signatories have pointed out that Tabebuia is well suited for commemorative plantation as it flowers on bare branches during the spring and autumn months, making it an appropriate symbol of remembrance and renewal. They also remind that Tabebuia tree is also hardy, has moderate water requirements, is non-invasive and deep-rooted, and therefore does not generally pose a threat to pavements or service lines.
They have further suggested that its plantation be confined to urban, roadside and institutional areas. With time, they said, avenues of Tabebuia in bloom could give Dehradun a distinctive identity and turn its flowering season into a spectacle that the city becomes known for.
It may be recalled that SP Singh had recently called on Governor Gurmit Singh and made a similar request for declaring Tabebuia the memorial tree of Dehradun. During that meeting, he had also gifted the Governor a sapling of the Timru plant.
