afforestation

Divisional Forest Officer Punit Goyal shares how they overcame huge challenges to reforest a hill in Shahpur Division, Madhya Pradesh

From the Gulmohar in Khalil Jibran’s poem to the Chestnut tree in Gabriel García Márquez’s novel, Koya has managed to create a museum of trees from the world of literature

“They risk their lives everyday working in difficult terrains and braving myriad hostile elements – poachers, encroachers, smugglers, mafias, human-wildlife conflict, health hazards in the form of water-borne diseases, forest fires and of course, accidental deaths by wild animals.”

“I am not doing it for photographs or limelight. I simply want people to realise the importance of trees."

The work started in full swing around February 2019. Eight months later, in October 2019, the lake was brimming with water. Talking to The Better India, Ramen shares the endeavours that helped her achieve the seemingly impossible. 

From the legendary Thillai tree - whose extract can blind a person temporarily - to the Brahma Kamalam that blooms once in 12 years, Jaswant Singh's 10,000 sq. ft. garden is a hidden wonderland.

From making a forest in the backyard to growing a lush farm on barren land, these eco-warriors truly show that anybody can do their bit to save the planet, all you need is some courage and the will to get your hands dirty!

“In the next five years, I want to create 1000 jungles across India”, says the inspiring man growing mini forests in and around industrial areas to curb pollution. #LiveGreen #Respect

“They would cut down tree after tree for houses or farming. Nobody cared to plant a single tree. The soil was eroding and lands were turning sterile. I realised if I don’t step up and save my land, it was in great peril."

The couple gives us a sneak peek into their 15-acre Govardhan farm and highlights the principles they follow to maintain it.