When I came to stay in this suburb, we were very happy to see a hill just behind our building and we could see the greenery on it. As it was the month of June, so the hill was totally green with dense trees all over. It really was a great and soothing experience.
But after the monsoon when fall arrived in the month of November, the hill was covered with leafless trees which were definitely not a great scene. The greenery was taken over by leafless branches.
One day we went to roam around on the other side of the hill and we were surprised to see the small saplings, bushes and some trees as well, all over and few people were busy watering them. I was curious and asked about it. So they told the whole story of how it all started.
it appears that around 10 years back few residents of the area used to come to the hill for a walk and were worried about the barren hill and thought something to do to make it green. They started making bunds and ponds to stop rainwater from flowing down and catch it in small ponds so that it would penetrate and will support the trees. Then they made pits for trees and planted local trees, because the imported variety of trees, Gliricidia which was on the other side of the hill was of no use for the birds. Birds don't make nests on it and they don't even get food from those trees. So the indigenous plants are more useful. So like Peeple, Mango, Banayan, Neem, Jamoon, Bamboo etc. were planted. As these remain green all through the year, insects and fruits on it provide food for the birds. The birds also make nests on it. So it's good for the environment too.
The small group started with some hundred plants in the beginning. They took good care of the plant by protecting them from cattle, fire and providing them water regularly. They have also made some water tanks on the hill so that it’s a bit easy to water the plants, still, it’s a tough job to carry water cans all the way and climb and water the plants. But they are doing it with devotion. They have formed an NGO called Vasundhara Swachhata Abhiyan for the same purpose and they have some 200 plus members there but only a few of them are regular. Others like me are occasional. After so many years of continuous efforts, the hill is now green. Not only this hill but they have made the adjoining hill also green, which is a noble cause. The trees are now grown up to 10-12 feet and would definitely become big trees in the future. And the hill will become a dense forest soon. The birds have already started chirping and making the nest there. It's really good to walk around on the hill. I am happy to join with the group. Global warming is a big environmental issue so we must contribute at least something towards it.
