Gaya: District magistrate (DM) Abhishekh Singh on Tuesday ruled out any plan to limit footfall and the number of visitors at the World Heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara.
According to sources in the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, plant scientists looking after the health of the sacred Bodhi tree have recommended a cap on the number of visitors at any given point of time to prevent undue soil compaction and resultant blockade in the sub-surface flow of nutrients that the tree needs.
Though the DM did not directly deny the reports about the plant scientists' recommendation, he said: "No study has conclusively proved the adverse effect of soil compaction on the sacred tree's health."
Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute has been entrusted with the tree's upkeep and maintenance of its health. Plant scientists from the institute check up the tree twice a year. The institute's scientists are summoned whenever any health-related abnormality is noticed. Sources said a few months ago, untimely shedding of leaves was noticed. Plant scientist Amit Pandey conducted a thorough health check-up and applied micro nutrients to set things right.
Besides limiting footfall, the plant scientists, according to BTMC sources, also recommended complete darkness in the temple vicinity between 10pm and 5am to ensure proper photosynthesis, the process crucial to the tree's life and health. "Some positive steps have been taken in this direction," said Lalji Prasad, a regular visitor to the shrine.
Another recommendation of the scientists pertained to the decomposition of naturally fallen leaves. The scientists recommended that the fallen leaves must not be removed, rather those should be allowed to decompose on the earth to the tree's west, as the decomposed leaves add nutrition to the tree's roots.
According to a shrine caretaker, devotees pick up naturally fallen leaves and as such, proper decomposition of the leaves was not possible.
According to the chairman of the International Buddhist Council Ven Pragyadeep, it will be improper to limit visitors at the shrine as Buddha followers and tourists from across the world visit Bodhgaya for an inside view of the shrine.
