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This Octogenarian Continues His Green Mission To Save Forests In Kalahandi





This Octogenarian Continues His Green Mission To Save Forests In Kalahandi

He might be old but that hasn’t stopped him from going after his dream. At an age when most people think about leading a relaxed life, octogenarian Kartik Majhi, who belongs to Kondh tribe, nurtures a dream to create more patch of green forest in his native place. His dream has given him the inspiration as well as the courage to fight and work for protection of forest areas in his tribal hamlet of Kalahandi.

Armed with a noble objective to save forests, Kartik, in the year 1980, had taken the first step towards it by planting saplings in 96 acres of barren land near his village. Since then, he has managed to create and save around 500 acres of jungle in Boring Padar region of Tula Pada gram block in Kalahandi district.

The saplings that he started planting three decades back have now turned into gigantic tress of teak, sal, chakunda among others. And Kartik for sure feels a deep sense of satisfaction when he looks at them. “These trees are like my children and I feel satisfied just looking at them,” he explains.

Sharing about what inspired him to take such a step, Kartik says, “I grew up amidst vast jungles but then timber smugglers started stealing various trees from our areas for their benefit. I felt as if mother nature is being denuded of its possession. That was the time I decided to do something to protect our forest and resources.”

“In early 80’s, I started planting trees and stood against the timber smugglers. We formed a Boringpadar Yuvak Sangha so that more people can join and support us. Though it took some time but soon people understood our purpose and everyone joined our initiative. My father had once told me that if there will be forest, then there will be rain and without rain, life will not sustain. Whatever I did was because of the lesson my father taught me,” he further shares.

“Forests and trees are like our mother which gives us everything and without them our world be nothing. I have vowed to protect my janmabhoomi and create a vast green forest, and I am glad I have succeeded in doing it.”

It is important to mention that impressed with the work of Kartik, in the late 90s, the forest department of Odisha entrusted Boringpadar Yuvak Sangh with the responsibility of looking after the 500 hectares of reserve forest nearby their village. “The government appreciated our work and they even entrusted us with the responsibility of protecting more than 500 hectares of forest near the hills adjacent to the village,” he adds.

Explaining how tribal people have an apt knowledge of medicinal plants and prefer using these plants to cure every disease, Kartik says, “We are born and brought amidst Mother Nature and so we have ample knowledge of plants and their purpose. We don’t need modern medicines every time. Nature gives us everything,” he elaborates. 

Although today Kartik can neither walk or see properly, he hopes that whatever he has started will continue for the benefit of future generations. “Though my health doesn’t allow me to continue my work, I still have a desire to work for my motherland. I have a strong belief that if I continue planting more trees, Mother Nature would bless us with prosperity. I don’t need anything, I just want to work for my people and the society,” says Majhi.

The good thing is that his son Shankar Majhi who has been supporting his father since his childhood, is also ready to take over the responsibility of his father. He along with the members of Boringpadar Yuvak Sangh are leaving no stone unturned for the protection of their forest.

For sure, Majhi and his family stand out as a source of inspiration for all those who want to work for nature conservation and protection.

Author: Monalisa patsani

Being into journalism since 2012, Monalisa loves listening to people and narrate their stories. She has been exploring different genres of journalism, but writing about the environment, places and people suits her interest.

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