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For him, planting trees is a passion
C S BHATTACHARJEE | Kolkata, May 31, 2012 17:13
Tags : trees |
Tags : trees |
Sachinandan Samanta, who is now 69, started planting small trees since he was 25. A recipient of Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award, Samanta went to cover long distances to plant saplings.
Though age sometimes troubles him, but he is undaunted. On May 20, he braved scorching heat to check the condition of the trees he had planted few days back between Santragachhi and Pashkura station on South Easters Railways.
“I prefer to plant little grown-up plants instead of saplings. It is easier to save those in comparison to saplings, which need more attention,” Samanta told TSI.
But his job doesn’t end with planting only. “After planting them, we surround it with bamboo-barricades. I engage few persons, who visit the places regularly to sprinkle water, add fertilizers and look after them for the next two years,” he added.
A disciple of Swami Swarupananda, Sachinandan babu said, “After my ‘Diksha’, Swamiji told me to do something for the society. At that time I was working as a clerk in Ranchandrapur Raisuddin High School and from there I retired as a teacher. I then decided to plant trees and still dong that.”
Apart from planting trees besides railway lines, he has planted trees in at least 12 colleges, 135 schools, District and Sub-Divisional courts complex, District Magistrate’s office courtyard, beside canals and rivers, along the streets and on barren lands.
“Till date I have planted two 2.30 lakh trees,” he claims with all humility. Samanta also donated Rs 50,000 cash reward to his guru.
The trees are mostly of tropical rain forest’s variety, which provides shade for the passers by as well as grow flower or fruits for other spices like honeybees, birds and animals.
Ashwath, Neem, Maulsari or Bakul, Banyan, Gorjan, Teak or Segun, Redwood or Shishu, Indian lilac or Jarul, Mast tree or Deodar, Giant Crape-myrtle or Shwet Champa (Arka Shweta), Swarna Champa (Michelia champaca), are some of the types of trees he planted.
“Initially, my family had some reservation, but I convinced them. Now they also with co-operate me,” he said. His son Ramkrishna said, “It felt disheartening while some people used to tease my father as ‘mad’.”
Sachinanda Samanta’s mission has led the Jadavpur University to go for a documentary film on his ‘One Man Mission for afforestation’.
His name was also referred to the United Nations for 'Sosaku Environment Award' by competent agencies.
Issue Dated: Feb 5, 2017
