Tying a rakhi on a tree on Rakhi Purnima day is mere effrontery indulged in by people heedless of the destruction of ecology and the planet, says septuagenarian Antaryami Sahu who planted more than 30,000 trees in his life. Rashmi Rekha Das meets the ardent green crusader
Antaryami Sahu is 70 years old and never tires of planting trees. He is a true worshipper of Nature. For him Nature is God and God is Nature. Wherever he sees a barren spot, he takes out seeds from his bag and plants them there. Be it Sunday or Monday, Sahu who is fondly called Gachha sir in his locality, makes it a point to plant trees.
“Nature has bestowed her choicest blessings on this form of life. Therefore, we have a duty towards Nature. Protect Nature; protect everything created by God for future posterity,” says the retired schoolteacher.
“Prakruti Maa Ku Kichi Deba”, he says which, loosely translated, means “We should give something to nature in return for her service to mankind.” This is what he tells everybody he comes across.
Planting trees has been the purpose of Sahu’s existence who is a born nature lover. It all started when he was in Class VI in 1962. He found there were no big trees in his village under which domestic animals could take shelter. It was then he planted a banyan tree for the first time. Now the gigantic tree has become a resting place for both animals and human being providing a cool shade throughout the year. He never looked back since then and decided to convert the wasteland into a green canopy.
When asked whether planting tree is his passion, the elderly but energetic green activist immediately replies in the negative. He says, “It is a major part of my life. I cannot spend a day without planting trees or creating awareness among schoolchildren about the importance of plantation. It’s a godly quality and I am happy that I am blessed with the quality.”
His morning starts at 5 am. He gets up and does his household chores and leaves home with a bagful of saplings, seeds and a spade on his rusty bicycle. He sets out on a mission to a plant tree every morning whatever the weather condition. Be it heavy downpour or scorching summer or chilling winter, he does not care and sows seeds whenever he gets a chance.
“Planting trees is easy but the difficult task is to take care of them and keep them alive. Keeping plants alive can prove to be next to impossible to some, but it really isn’t all that difficult. Plants need light, water, support, nutrients, and adequate air supply. Like everything in this world, trees need utmost care for survival. Plants can’t scream in pain like the rest of us. We should take care of them before they start groaning in pain,” says Sahu.
Besides, he has made it a point to visit schools near his residence and encourage students to plant trees. What’s more he felicitates them, too, for doing a noble job.
The retired teacher has planted a staggering 30,000 trees so far and has become an inspiration for villagers as well as his students. Without exaggeration, it can be said that this old man has dedicated his life to the welfare of the environment and animals.
According to the septuagenarian, there is a growing need to save forests as the number of trees has come down drastically due to rapid industrialisation. “When humans destroy wild lands or forests to build homes, factories, shopping malls, amusement parks, garbage dumps, or even to build a visitor centre, store and restaurant, they hardly think of animals that once lived there. This way human beings hurt animals. It is the need of the hour to conserve forest as well as animals. This is why we should save forests,” the retired teacher says.
Sahu has worked actively to protect forests at Dasapalla, Harabhanga, Thalakata, Atharnala, Talapadar, Kantiapadar, and Kamalpur villages. Forests in these areas wore a denuded look. It was Sahu who made an effort to protect the forests from total destruction.
Besides, he has also come up with measures to save forests at Thalakata, Kamalpur, Jiankata, Bajapura and Liangaon that usually catch fire during summer. Inspired by him, some women have also joined in furthering the cause. They have taken out rallies raising the slogan to save forests in the area.
Sahu planted trees like sal, banyan, mango, saguan, bel and aswatha. “I have planted 20 banyan trees at Maghamela ground in Kantilo. In Sabarpalli and Kaliapalli villages, I have carried out plantation drives. Besides, I was instrumental in the transformation of barren land into the Biswabasu and Lalita Udyan in Kantilo and Lumbini Udyan in Boudh.”
This year Sahu created the Magaba Udyan and planted a number of neem trees there as he found that many neem trees were felled for the Nabakalebara festival.
Sahu’s love for heritage sites can be gauged from the fact that he has planted over a thousand trees for the beautification of a Buddha shrine in Boudh district. It was later named as the second Lumbini park by locals. His contribution to the beautification of Sabarapalli and Kaliapalli villages is noteworthy too. He has also planted 150 saguan trees and has created the Gramalakhmi Udyan there.
‘Jibe Daya’ translated means sympathy towards animals. This is the message Sahu conveys to students. He hates seeing children playing with butterflies and other animals by causing pain and suffering to these creatures. In such a situation he ties up the fellow committing the cruel act to make him feel the pain. He shows children photos of endangered animals and advises them to fight for their preservation.
Sahu says birds play a greater role compared to humans when it comes to plantation. Birds eat fruits and scatter the seeds here and there that later sprout into trees, says Sahu.
Sahu’s story does not end here. Once he was threatened with life for opposing illegal stone quarrying. He raised his voice for the sake of environment protection but had to face the wrath of local goons. Sahu hates the culture of tying rakhis on trees as part of Rakhi Purnima celebrations. “People don’t think it important to plant a tree or sow a seed. But when Rakhi Purnima comes, bigwigs show their love for trees by tying rakhis. This is nothing but farce,” says the green activist.
He has visited 80 schools in Bolangir, Boudh, Nayagarh and Koraput districts to create awareness on using mid-day meal waste for a good cause. Usually, school authorities dump the leftovers anywhere they find it convenient. Instead of doing so they can construct cement pots on which to dump the waste for animals to eat. He believes that to exist is to co-exist. So he advices every person he comes across to give water to animals.
The nature lover not only plants trees but also paints slogans and messages related to the environment and the need for plantation. Sahu equates plants with children and professes that both require initial care so that they grow strong to take care of us.
Awards and Felicitations
Sahu has received many awards and recognition for his endless contribution to save the environment. The district administration of Nayagarh and Boudh felicitated Sahu with the Bana Bandhu Award. Besides, he was conferred the Prani Surakhya Purskar, Ajibana Paribesha Sadhaka award, Jibabandhu award and Prakruti Bandhu Award. He has also received many citations for his noble work.
