Uttarakhand Forest Department unveils first Cycad Garden in Haldwani

Haldwani: The Uttarakhand Forest Department has established the first Cycad Garden in Haldwani. The purpose of this garden is to create an exceptional place for the protection and study of these exotic plants. This garden is spread over two acres and has been funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The garden is likely to be the home to 31 different species of cycads. It is considered one of the oldest plant groups on this planet. Its existence took place during the time of the dinosaurs. Out of 31, nine species are native to India.

Sanjiv Chaturvedi, Chief Conservator of Forests (Research), said that cycads are the most threatened group of plants in the world. The garden will help in conserving these rare species and also support research on plant evolution and climate change.

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Cycads are not only an old species, but they keep a lot of significance as well. They are being used for different purposes, such as food, medicine, and cultural purposes. Their lovely look also makes them popular as ornamental plants. Therefore, cycads were overused.

The growth of this plant is fast, and it lives for a long time. They do not reproduce easily, which makes them vulnerable to habitat destruction. Interestingly, cycads also help the environment by fixing nitrogen with the help of cyanobacteria in their roots. The Cycad Garden in Haldwani is a significant step to protect these amazing plants.