Central Railway’s herbal garden project takes root

The collection includes herbs like adusa, ajwain, apamarg, elaichi, pepper, shatavari and tulsi that are used to treat cough and cold

An experimental herbal garden developed by the Central Railway at CSMT seems to have clicked well with 120 different species of medicinal plants and shrubs. The garden is located near platform no. 18 of the rail terminus.

"The land near the heritage gully at Mumbai CSMT had been lying vacant and as an attempt to experiment with herbs, we decided to plant herbal saplings and they have now grown very well," said a senior railway official.

The collection includes herbs like Adusa, Ajwain, Apamarg, Elachi, Pepper, Shatavari and Tulsi that are used to treat cough and cold. Among the other plants in the garden are Anjeer, Turmeric, Insulin, Gudmar and Tej patta that can help control diabetes. The nearly 1-acre garden also has herbs like Bhringraj, Sarpagandha, Giloy and Clove.

"The railways does not intend to put these up for sale or anything but will promote such gardens at other major locations. The basic idea was to improve biodiversity, help increase oxygen level and reduce air and noise pollution. The experiment has clicked well," a CR spokesperson said.In July 2020, CR had set up ‘oxygen parlours' at stations with NASA-certified air-purifying plants for the benefit of commuters.

Environmentalist Sunish Subramanian, who is associated with the Plant and Animal Welfare Society, welcomed the move, but with a pinch of salt. "It is a nice thought that has gone into this, but the railways should ensure that such gardens are maintained for long term. If this project is cultivated well, it could really do wonders to the city as a whole," he said.