Young environmental activist gives a new lease of life to 45-year-old Fig tree

Sangareddy: Proving once again where there is a will there is a way, a young environmental activist from Sangareddy district has given a new lease of life to a Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) that was felled at his village some three months ago. With a minimum investment of Rs 1,200, he succeeded in giving a […]

Sangareddy: Proving once again where there is a will there is a way, a young environmental activist from Sangareddy district has given a new lease of life to a Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) that was felled at his village some three months ago. With a minimum investment of Rs 1,200, he succeeded in giving a new life by transplanting the 45-year-old tree at Palle Parkurthi Vanam at Mukthapur village.

Meet the environmental activist Paladugu Gnaneshwar (23) of Mukhtapur village, who has been working for environment conservation with various activities during last eight years. When he was not in the village, a 45-year-old tree was cut by villagers, who suspected that the tree would damage the temple located close to it.

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Two days after it was felled, Gnaneshwar returned to his village to see only the trunk of the Peepal tree. He has immediately requisitioned an earth mover by spending Rs 1,200 from his pocket and got the trunk removed along with its roots. The villagers advised him against the transplantation since it was not scientifically plucked out. But, Gnaheshwar went ahead with his plan with just a ray of hope. Three months after he made the transplantation in June last week, the tree had started regenerating much to the surprise of the villagers. Many villagers and students were coming to the place to watch the tree.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Gnaneshwar said that he has been constantly working to spread awareness on environmental conservation and protection of trees across erstwhile Medak district for over eight years. Recently, he said that he has also conducted a Cycle Yatra covering 75 villages in the district to mark the 75 years of Independence. He says it pains him to trees being felled indiscriminately. He would not haveallowed the tree to be cut if he was present in the village on that day. With god’s grace, the activist said the tree had started regenerating. Stating that he did not follow any scientific method except using cow dung and black soil in transplantation of the tree, Gnaneshwar has called upon the people not to harm the trees.