Vanajeevi urges govt, people to grow more trees

Warangal Urban: Daripalli Ramaiah aka Vanajeevi (forester) Ramaiah even while sleeping, dreams of trees and is ever worried about the wellbeing of plants that he planted and those in forests. “Whenever, a tree withers away or a wildfire breaks out in forests my heart aches.

And those thoughts take shape of dreams when I sleep at night and I cannot sleep well with an urge to plant more trees to make up the loss”, he lamented.

Undeterred by his advancing age and side effects of recent cardiac problem, he asserted that it was his mission of spreading green cover would go on as long as he lives. This septuagenarian who remained as an unsung hero until India’s fourth highest civilian honour Padma Shri was conferred on him, says he feels happier when a sapling that he planted survives and grows rather than receiving such awards.

“We find more wine shops than plant nurseries in our towns and cities. This has to change as the human existence is dependent on trees and balance in nature. Hence we have to give utmost priority to maintain ecological balance and ensuring green cover’ Ramaiah told The Hans India here on Tuesday.

He is in Warangal on Tuesday to campaign for Swachh Bharat following a letter written to him on September 9 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to espouse the cause. He planted saplings and swept streets at Srinagar Colony (South) at a programme organised by Sulakshya Seva Samithi and the Colony Welfare Development Committee.

He has selected six districts to tour during which he would be distributing saplings and advocating ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Movement’ as a tribute to Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi).

Sharing his views on the flagships programmes of state and central government Haritha Haraam and Swachh Bharat, he said both the initiatives were like two eyes of a person. They were interlinked in ensuring better environs towards improving lives of humankind, he added.

Ramaiah suggests that the State and Central governments must launch ‘Vana Shrusti Vahanams’ (sapling dispensing vehicles) on the lines of ‘108’ emergency ambulance services so as to distribute plants to citizens at their door step.
Many a times, people want to get saplings but they find it difficult due to shortage of plant nurseries and high cost at which they are sold. Therefore, the governments must try to address this issue, he asserts.

A staunch advocate of protecting environment, Ramaiah also dreams of seeing currency notes printed with the depiction of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi planting saplings as it will be an effective medium to drive home the point of environmental protection. “If I get a chance to meet the PM Modi personally I wish to convey this to him.”

Ramaiah opines that the NREGS workers have to be given ‘Chettu Patta’ (Tree title), wherein those planted fruit bearing trees under the scheme will be given rights over the yield of the tree. He stresses on the need to engage young generation in dedicate some time in planting and nurturing plants.

“Planting a sapling and caring for it is a divine task and this message has to be instilled among the youngsters” he feels and adds ‘Governments must maintain a reserve of grown up trees which can be planted whenever trees are felled to give way for road widening and laying new roads”, he added.