TEZPUR, June 10 - At a time when rapid degradation of the State�s reserve forests have almost become the norm, an educated but unemployed youth named Hirakjyoti Nath of Johamari area near here has set a unique example by planting various species of valuable trees in his own land.
It may be mentioned here that Hirakjyoti Nath, who is popular as Hirakda among the hard-working educated section of greater Johamari and Kawoimari area under Bihaguri Development Block in Sonitpur district, is a true nature lover. He is credited with setting up a modest forest by planting valuable trees like segun and other medicinal plants in around 10 bighas of land.
A socially conscious youth, Hirakjyoti Nath has always been vocal for conserving nature and wildlife. He started his mission of greening the environment by plantation of a few segun saplings in a small plot of land. Today, he is the owner of more than 5,000 valuable trees, thereby creating a mini forest in the area.
While interacting with this Correspondent, Hirakjyoti stated that he was happy with his endeavour. All along, he has been supported by his widowed mother. He reportedly spent a huge amount of money till date on his labour of love.
However, Hirakjyoti and his mother Renu Devi were critical of the Government�s indifference towards their effort and said that though they had appealed to the government many times and sought financial help, but there has been no fruitful response.
�For financial assistance, I approached many funding agencies, including the State Bank of India, but to no avail,� Hirakjyoti lamented, adding that at times frustration creeps in as diseases at times attack the plants, following which a good number of valuable plants (segun) have died. This was also informed to the department concerned, including the Forest Department, but till today no communication has been received from their end.
�Moreover, some unscrupulous people often fell the valuable trees in my garden, which obviously troubles me a lot,� Hirakjyoti added. A fan of forest-man Jadav Payeng, Hirakjyoti dreams of conducting some other nature-related activities in his area with the help of the globally acclaimed forest man popularising his idea among the new generation and thereby giving a new dimension to the afforestation drive.
It may be pertinent to mention here that at a time when misappropriation of crores of rupees sanctioned in the name of conservation of forest has been alleged, Hirakjyoti Nath�s noble effort to painstakingly grow a forest at his own cost has become a major attraction for the nature lovers, including educated youths of the greater area.
More importantly, motivated by Hirakjyoti�s experience of generating a forest by surmounting a number of obstacles, including high price of pesticides, herbicides, seedlings, fertiliser and manpower, some other educated youths of the area too have been able to turn many a barren land along the Gabharu river into a forest of sorts by planting segun, agar and tea plantations.
In this context, he reiterated that one can definitely contribute to minimise the detrimental effects of global warming through plantation of trees, and at the same time earn a decent livelihood.
