History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t6.6

v1.c32.s2.t6.6

Trees on the Banks of Tanks: The practice of planting trees on the taṅk bunds was in vogue in ancient times. The Sudarśana lake which was destroyed by a storm during the reign of Rudradaman in A.D. 150 was restored to its original glory by strengthening the dam and planting trees on all banks. In some places particularly in Āndhradeśa rows of trees called Kaṭṭava were planted on or by the side of the tank bund, evidently with a view to adding to its strength (CTI. No. 53; also Yazdani, 1964, p. 679). In Tamil country five fruit bearing trees, the Indian gall-nut, Nelli (Phyllanthus embalica or the embalika myrobalam), Tantri, Karañja-puṅga (Indian beach Pungania glabra) and Aśvatha (the Fig tree or Ficus religiosa) were generally planted all along the bunds of tanks. The principle which underlies the planting of such trees on the bunds of tanks is easily intelligible.