LAHORE: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) will showcase images of ‘sacred trees’ at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib.

“ETBP chairman Siddiqul Farooq has allowed me to establish a permanent exhibition of images of sacred trees at the Nankana Sahib gurdwara. This will draw the attention of not only Sikhs but all nature lovers to the rich natural heritage and highlight importance of preserving our depleting tree and forest wealth,” retired Indian Administrative Service officer DS Jaspal, who documented sacred trees in his book TRYST with TREES, told Dawn here on Sunday.

Author of ‘TRYST with TREES’ –Punjab’s sacred heritage –a pictorial documentation of 58 sacred and historical Sikh shrines in India and Pakistan named after 19 species of trees, like Gurdwara Tahli Sahib; Gurdwara Nim Sahib, Patiala; Gurdwara Babe di Ber Sahib, Sialkot; Gurdwara Ritha Sahib; Gurdwara Lahura Sahib, Ghavindi, Lahore etc, Mr Jaspal was honoured with ‘Siropa,’ an honourary dress, by ETBP chairman Siddiqul Farooq here on Sunday for his research on sacred trees of Sikh religion.

Mr Jaspal said though love and respect for nature and environment were common to every faith, the naming of sacred shrines after trees was unique to the Sikh religion.

“Sikhism is the only religion that has sanctified its association with trees by remembering its most sacred shrines with the names of different species of trees. No less than 19 species of trees have the honour of more than 50 of the most sacred and historical shrines being named after them,” he said.

Mr Jaspal also gave the ETBP chairman the details of the landscape plan drawn up by him for Nankana Sahib gurdwara and its environs. He said at the time of birth of Guru Nanak Dev, Nankana Sahib, then known as Talwandi Rai, was little more than a glorified village.

“Nankana Sahib and its environs formed part of the subtropical arid zone. Because of the semi-desert conditions, only hardy species like the Van (salvadora oleoides), Jand (prosopis cineraria) and Phulahi (acacia modesta) were found growing.”

?During the time of Guru Nanak, he said, Van, Jand and Phulahi species formed the bulk of the vegetation in scattered groves in Nankana Sahib. These hardy trees regenerate naturally from seeds and Van was especially appreciated for its shade by both man and beast.

“It also bears a fruit known as Pilu which is sweet and was relished by the people. Because of these rich qualities, Guru Nanak’s early years were spent under the shade and shadow of this tree.

“It is no wonder that the hymns of Guru Nanak enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs, are replete with references to nature, environment, trees, vegetation, plants and animal life,” Mr Jaspal said.

The writer travelled extensively in India and Pakistan over a period of three years to compile the material for his book.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2016