Bhopal: Lotus has bloomed in the desert, literally. Rare blue lotus, a native of Kailash Mansarovar region, has bloomed in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur, considered to be a hostile climactic zone for the plant species, thanks to a breakthrough by an agriculture scientist.
Dr Krishna Kumar Sahu, professor of soil science department in the Indira Gandhi Agriculture University at Raipur, has successfully grown blue lotus on the rooftop of his house.
“Blue lotus is a rare species. It grows in Kailash Mansarovar, a cold region. I have successfully grown the species in a tiny pond on the rooftop of my house. The species has withstood three summers of Raipur where mercury soars to 47 degree Celsius,” he told this newspaper on Thursday.
The flower — viewed as sacred by Hindus for being loved by Lord Shiva — grown on the agriculture scientist’s rooftop garden is, however, smaller in size as compared to the one found in Mansarovar. The farm scientist’s wife Puspa Sahu, who is B.SC (horticulture), has also played a key role in growing the plant.
“Agriculture scientists across India have now focused on growing exotic crop and species in different climactic zones in the country. The blue lotus project is a part of this,” Dr Sahu said.
The plant breeds in monsoon season and each and every leaf of the plant converts into new plant.
