February 12, 2002	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 28, 1422

NEW DELHI, Feb 11: Citizens in western India looking for good fortune are seeking advice from astrologers to find lucky trees for their gardens, a news report said Monday.

The Times of India reported that residents of Baroda, in the western India state of Gujarat, are consulting astrologers to locate luck-bringing trees for their backyards.

The “astrological plantation concept” is finding many believers, and according to forest department officials, tree planting has shot up in and around the city.

“The response has been very good. In our recent field trips we have come across instances where trees are now being looked upon as a good omen,” said deputy conservator of forests Ramesh Patel.

Many families now consider trees as lucky charms. The saraca indica is recommended for Cancerians, the mango tree for Sagittarians and the asopalav or polyalthia longifolia species for Leos.

“It reinforces the ancient belief that plants are like gods,” said botany professor G.P. Senam. “In southern India for instance, every temple will have a grove of trees considered sacred.

Of late, the same emotion of attaching religious significance to plants is catching on.”—dpa