Maneswar: Saplings are like his children. When they grow into adult trees and start giving shade, bearing flowers and fruits and become home to birds, it gives him immense pleasure. The contentment he derives is as much as seeing his children grow up and do their filial duties.
The man with passion and love for trees is Jagadish Pradhan, a resident of Dangapala village under Jujumura block in Sambalpur district. Any village discussion on taking care of trees would not be complete without mentioning his name. This is all because of his love towards trees that developed in him in 1978 when he planted the first sapling of a ‘Baula’ tree in his village courtyard. He had purchased it from Laramba forest department paying Rs1.25.
From that day onwards, he has never tired of taking care of trees. Retired as a clerk from the Education Department two years ago, he has been planting trees everywhere possible. Road sides, school and college premises and railway station are among his tree-growing sites. He bears all expenses, from purchasing saplings from the horticulture department and private nurseries to erecting fences around them.
He never feels his duty ends with planting a sapling and erecting a fence. He visits the newly planted saplings, waters them and clears the root from weed. In summer, he is seen carrying water pots on his cycle and watering the plants, including those planted by the Forest Department. Sometimes, he manicures the plants to give them beautiful shapes.
Whenever anyone causes harm to trees, he is the first one to protest. Several educational institutions, blocks and social organisations have honoured him for his extraordinary love and affection for trees.
Four years ago, Jagadish Pradhan had an ailment that has slowed him down a little; but it has not deterred him from devoting his time and energy for green cause.
“I am retired now. But whenever I look at the grown up trees, sit under their shade and listen to chirping of birds from their nests, my loneliness disappears. It seems to me that the trees are interacting with me,” Jagdish says.
His message: All should plant tress for the sake of environment. PNN
