fruit forest

Affectionately known as 'Cycle IAS' Sandeep GR, the current collector of Chhatarpur, is transforming districts of Madhya Pradesh with his pro-people initiatives.

Kerala-based Gopalakrishnan KR, a retired bank employee, used his retirement benefits to convert a 1-acre rubber plantation into a mini forest with hundreds of fruit trees, medicinal plants, and more.

Located in Kerala, Eldho’s ‘Swarga Medu’ is home to over 20 varieties of apples, and over 6 varieties of oranges, grapes, mangosteen, litchi, strawberry, and more!

Once a plot of land with merely 40-50 mango trees and two huge tamarind trees, today, it boasts of more than 2,500 trees.

"We should work with our hands once again. Feel what it’s like to touch the soil, grow a plant, prepare your bread, or even walk with your dog for that matter."

An advocate of minimal human interference, he avoids using any fertilisers or pesticides and lets nature take its own course.