Anuganalu village in Hassan district of Karnataka sets a precedent in environment protection by growing a dense forest at rocky and barren land
Pramod Kumar
Addressing the villagers then Malali said, “It is indeed second birth for me, as there was no hope for my survival. Being a genetic scientist and researcher I know the quakes or tsunamis are the curse of the nature, therefore nature should be protected at all costs. Will you all join me making this rocky land green?” His appeal deeply influenced the villagers and they came together to materialise the pledge. This is how the project began with the personal investment of Rs one lakh by Malali Gowda, which he had received as scholarship.
When the work started showing results, some Government agencies too came forward with help and encouragement. But instead of taking any help they persuaded the Agriculture Department to provide organic manure project to the villagers. Many such projects are still on in the village.
Both the brothers did not stop here. With the help of some interested villagers, they created two more wonders. First is the DNA Temple, which educates people about DNA. This temple has been set-up after the father of Dr Malali Gowda and Krishnamurthy. For those who know about DNA, it is a case study. It is a good initiative to popularise the DNA. Forget the genetic scientists the farmers too now have some knowledge of this purely scientific term.
The awareness for nature protection has generated to the extent that the villagers now celebrate their birthdays, wedding ceremonies and other auspicious occasions by planting saplings in the forest and also take responsibility to look after them. Till now about 300 such saplings have been planted. It is because of the attachment of the villagers that there is no fencing around the forest. The villagers themselves make sure that the cattle or other animals do not astray into it.
The initiative has received applause not only from the environment lovers of the State, country or the nearby villagers, but also from the former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who in 2006 presented Karnataka State’s ‘Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Parisara Prasasti (Paryavaran Puraskar) to BCRT. The rise in water level of the village from 100 feet deep in 2000 to just 6 feet deep has now encouraged the villagers to turn tree plantation into a movement. That is why saplings have been planted on both sides of three km road up to cross of the village road leading to Hassan-Belur main road. Not only this, they have also pledged to make their village a model village in all respects. “This is the finest model for an educational tour by schools and colleges. One can see here how trees can be grown into the rocks and how the nature responds when positive steps are taken,” says Transport Department officer Shri SS Pasha, who has done a wonder in adult literacy through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Hassan district.
Now there are efforts to turn the remaining village land also green. “Saplings have already been planted on another piece of equally rocky and sloppy land,” says Krishnamurthy. One more interesting point about this project is that it displays the change in mindset that the Apna Desh movement started by senior IAS of Karnataka Shri Bharatlal Meena has kicked off. Really, an example worth emulating all over the country to make the best use of the Government land in villages.
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