With environmentalists and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) creating much hue and cry about the depleting green cover and ever-deteriorating environment, here is a person who, instead of complaining about it, has taken up the task to restore it.
Hariyali, an NGO distributes seeds of various breeds asking pilgrims to sow them
With environmentalists and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) creating much hue and cry about the depleting green cover and ever-deteriorating environment, here is a person who, instead of complaining about it, has taken up the task to restore it.
Punam Singhvi of Hariyali, a Thane-based environmentalist, has adopted a unique way to restore the green cover in the state. Hariyali choose Pandharpur pilgrims for the cause and started distributing seeds of various breeds among them, with an appeal to sow them on way to Pandharpur.
“The idea struck me three years back. Millions of pilgrims visit Pandharpur every year from all parts of the state. As they walk to Pandharpur from Alandi, near Pune, the pilgrims are the best people who can support the cause”, Singhvi said. “We decided to distribute seeds of various breeds among the pilgrims. In 2005 when the idea was conceived, 10,000 packets containing 100 seeds were distributed among the pilgrims and 25,000 packets were distributed in 2006. This year we plan to distribute 50,000 packets. The idea struck many social workers in Pune district and they also joined Hariyali in the task,” he added.
The NGO involved local schools in the task and the seeds are distributed by students at Saswad, Jejuri, Lonand and Walhe in Pune district. “These villages are base camps of pilgrims en route to Pandharpur. While they rest here, pilgrims willingly sow seeds in the area around them,” Singhvi added.
Initially the NGO appealed pilgrims to bring seeds from their native places. But when many of them failed to do so due to various reasons, it was decided to distribute the seeds. The seeds distributed by the NGO include breeds like Karanj, Shivan, Behda, Bahava, Khair, Shirish, Gulmohar, Jamun and Palas.
“When millions of people sow seeds along the road, it will help in restoring the green cover. Though we have been sowing seeds for last three years, the result will be visible after five years,” Singhvi said.
The NGO has also planned to rope in pilgrims visiting Shirdi, Shabrimalai and Nathdwar. The NGO is active in environment conservation in Thane district for last 12 years and has undertaken many projects solely through public participation. “We do not avail of any concession or financial assistance from the state government. All out projects are done through public participation and donations,” Singhvi said.
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