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The Uttar Pradesh government has approved an eco-restoration project to revive the barren and damaged hills around Barsana village in Mathura. Barsana is known as the birthplace of Radha Rani and holds great spiritual value. The project aims to bring back greenery to these hills, starting with the 98-hectare Rakauli hill. This is part of a larger plan by the UP Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad to restore the spiritual and natural beauty of the Braj region.
Reviving the Spiritual and Natural Beauty of Barsana
The first phase of the project focuses on Rakauli hill. It will include planting trees, conserving water, and fencing the area to help it recover. Shyam Bahadur Singh, CEO of the Parishad and Vice-Chairman of the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority, shared that the hills of Barsana were once filled with beauty and spiritual importance but were damaged due to neglect and misuse.
To bring back the old charm, trees like 'babul' and 'keekar' will be replaced with native trees such as 'kadamb', 'peelu', and 'dhaak'. These trees are believed to be from the Krishna era and will help create an atmosphere similar to the Dwapar Yuga. This change has been approved by the Supreme Court.
Tourism Development and Infrastructure Plans
Along with ecological restoration, the project also focuses on improving the spiritual journey of pilgrims and attracting tourists. Singh said the council proposed ten tourism-related projects worth Rs 206 crore. Three of them will focus on beautifying the hills of Rakauli, Dhabhala, and Sakhi Giri, which are part of the 'Ashta Sakhi' range near the Rajasthan border. These hills represent the eight close companions of Radha Rani.
For the first phase at Rakauli hill, Rs 2.11 crore has been approved. Of this, Rs 1.30 crore has already been used for tar fencing, eco-restoration, and planting of heritage trees. Though the area currently lacks greenery, Singh is hopeful that the area's charm will soon return.
Other Major Projects in the Region
Other approved projects for the 2024-25 year include lighting and signage along the Govardhan Parikrama route, improving ghats along the Yamuna river, setting up a Shilpgram in Jachauda village, and installing CCTV cameras, public address systems, and traffic systems along Vrindavan Parikrama Marg.
Plans also include cruise services on the Yamuna river, a new multi-level car parking at the Tourist Facilitation Centre, and expanding the Barsana TFC. The project will also bring back old sacred groves in Mathura.
This complete plan will not only bring nature and spirituality back to Barsana but will also help increase tourism and improve facilities for both locals and visitors.
