Chichaiguda: For Janha Bishi, a 70-year-old man of Nuaguda village under this panchayat of Junagada block in Kalahandi district, age is just a number. He is a prominent figure in the area and is renowned for his love of trees.
Bishi, a retired government primary teacher, has the distinction of planting and conserving more than 2,000 trees in the panchayat. The environmentalist is however young at heart and locals say the secret of his energy lies in his indomitable spirit to nourish trees. He has become a household name and is considered an example for others in this field.
Awarded by the Governor of Orissa as a teacher in 2005, Bishi is also known for his proficiency in writing and singing. Besides being a dedicated social activist, he has also dabbled in the fields of acting and directing. With his relentless efforts, the septuagenarian has managed to create a mini forest on a patch of five acres of land. The trees planted by him include mango, plantain, teak, sheesham, neem, eucalyptus, berry, guava and several other varieties. Apart from this, he also raises several types of flowers and vegetables in different seasons.
Earning a lot of accolades for his persistent efforts in afforestation, the teacher said he would continue to plant trees till his last breath. “We have grown up watching him nurture trees,” Bishi’s son Surendra said, adding they would continue to help him do what he loves best till the end.
Bishi said other villagers who own patches of land have emulated his example and have started growing trees, adding this has brought him immense satisfaction. PNN