NewzVille Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni participated in a tree-planting ceremony at the historic Villa Doria Pamphili on Wednesday.
The leaders planted a black mulberry tree, gifted by PM Modi, as a symbolic gesture of enduring friendship and shared commitment to environmental protection.
Morus nigra, or black mulberry, holds cultural, culinary and medicinal significance in both India and Italy, linking the two nations through shared traditional value systems. Native to southwestern Asia, the tree is widely regarded for its resilience and multiple uses.
In Italy, particularly in Sicily, it is celebrated as the “Crown Jewel of Sicily” and has been cultivated since Roman times. The tree is also known for its strong root system, which helps prevent soil erosion and landslides.
In India, the plant is referred to as “Krishna Toot” in Ayurvedic and Unani traditions. Its fruit is used for soothing throat ailments, while its leaves are believed to support blood sugar regulation in herbal practices.
Valued for its ecological and medicinal benefits, the black mulberry also supports sustainable farming practices, with its fruit, leaves and wood serving multiple practical uses across regions.
