Chapter 5 Forests - Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board

otanICal gaRDen
The Forest Research Institute’s (FRI) Botanical Garden
is a living heritage of the country and has some of
the finest species of trees. With over 400 species of
trees, the Botanical Garden boasts of its exotic varieties
from Australia, South America, Africa, China
and Japan. Chinar, Bhojpatra, Indian Horse Chestnut,
St Thomas Bean, Ficus Krishnae, Ginkgo Biloba, Banj
Oak, Deodar are some of the tree species found here.
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As one walks through the natural trails of the for-
est, it is easy to spot the strangulating giant climber,
Entada Parsaetha or St. Thomas Bean which is spread
over long distances in the park. Chinar, the pride of
Kashmir, can also be found in this garden. In the
Vedic Age the Ficus Krishnae tree leaves were used
for writing manuscripts. This cup-shaped tree species
is associated with Lord Krishna since he ate butter
on these leaves.