I am extremely elated to see our Tunza Eco Generation Publishing theme on Culture and Environment.

When it comes to Culture and Environment, Nepal is epitome of their perfect amalgamation. Nepal is example to eco friendly culture which is as diverse and rich as its ethnicity.

(FYI: just within area of 147,181 Sq Km and total population of 26.494 millions, Nepal house more than 101 unique ethnic communities. The most beautiful part about diversity is the unity we have. There has never been any kind of bloodshed or even a small violence based solely on his ethnicity/race/religion.)

I will be posting eco culture in series (as its handy to mention them in single report)

Ficus Religiosa:

The most popular culture of Nepal is to planting of Peepal ( Ficus religiosa) and Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) and sometime Sami (Ficus benjamina) as well on the different junction. Its known as ?Peepal Chautari? (roughly translated as bus stops/ small relaxing place) in Nepal.  Such Ficus family are considered highly sacred plant and people not even in their dream dare to cut such plants. Ficus species plants have paramount importance in our culture and tradition. Its believed that Gautam Buddha (light of Asia, born in Lumbini, Nepal) got enlightenment by meditating under tree. Likewise in Hindu culture, Peepal is linked to Lord Krishna. The Peepal tree is generally used to scare Shani away. It is the tree that sheltered Sita. Upon it Lord Hanuman sat and saw all the miseries of Sita. Hence this tree has a special place in the heart of Lord Hanuman or Anjeneya Swami .

Ficus trees on such Chautaris/Bus Stops provides natural shade to people during scorching sun. It also provides good environment for gatherings and sharing moments. In Nepal most of the local level functions are organised on such Chautaris. And of course They also complete their carbon sequestering duty, clean up environment by sucking environment.

(FYI: Nepal worship cows/ox, crow and dogs. These occasion are the second biggest festive in Nepal which just ended a week back)

Basil(Tulsi):

This is yet another important and widely popular culture of Nepal (which is equally popular in India  as well considering two religion share a strong and intimate cultural bond). Many Hindus have tulsi plants growing in front of or near their home, often in special pots or special small masonry structures. Traditionally, Tulsi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu houses.The plant is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes, and for its essential oil. Tulsi is regarded as one of the consort of Lord Vishnu. Its believed that sprinkiling tulsi relieves you from all your bad/horrendenous deeds (paaps) and make you eligible for heaven( mokchha). Tulsi is also planted  for its medicinal purposes like remedy of respiratory disease, sore throat, headache,  heart disease, fever and common cold, mouth infection, insect bites and so forth.

I highly recommend all the awesome readers and my friends to search ?Tulsi?, ?Peepal in Hinduism?, ?Tulsi in Hinduism? to get more insight of such environmentally rich culture.

And as a teaser for my next report: Multiuse of Neem by Nepali and worshipping of animals as god. ^_^