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Sujata Roy Abhijat
SAMBODHI
various public places, expressed his concerns about the welfare of creatures, plants, and trees and prescribed various punishments for the killing of animals, including ants, squirrels, and rats. There are some other popular beliefs as follows:
Not plucking flowers and leaves of trees and plants after the dusk and before the dawn of the day. It is believed that it is a sin and against the religions. Scientifically, it might be associated with the logic that plants release carbon dioxide during dusk to dawn which would be harmful to the health of the men
who pluck it. • Planting Tulasi tree in the center of house courtyard is regarded as per the
religious activity along with the scientific reason to purify the air pollution. The Hindu worship of trees and plants has been based partly on utility, but mostly on religious duty and mythology. Hindu ancestors considered it their duty to save trees; and in order to do so they attached to every tree a religious
sanctity. • The Vedas regard solar energy as the unfailing weapon to eradicate pollution.
The Rigveda and Atharvaveda say that the rising sun destroyed all visible and invisible pollutions. Sal forest is maintained in both Buddihist and Jain Literatures with equal frequency. Snakes (Cobra) are worshipped in India mostly by the Hindu deities associating it with Lord Shiva. Though, it is dangerous to the existence of the human beings. Scientifically, it is the most oxygen generating living animal. Water is considered by Hindus to be powerful media of purification and also a source of energy. Sometimes, just by sprinkling of pure water in religious ceremonies it is believed that the purity is achieved. That is why in Rigveda, prayer is offered to the deity of water.
Bishnois are regarded as defender of the enviroments. The Bishnois are a small community living in Rajasthan, India, who practices a religion of environmental conservation. They believe that cutting a tree or killing an animal or bird is blasphemy.
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Traditional healer in South-East Asia rely on as many as 6500 medicinal plants,
