6 days ago
Patuli senior citizens join hands to plant saplings, save trees
Kolkata: Senior citizens in Patuli, who, over the past three decades, have planted and nurtured thousands of trees across the mini-township off EM Bypass, welcomed the prompt action of police against a man who was illegally cutting a mahua tree.
Two years ago, cops at the same police station refused to act when citizens complained about 37 trees planted along the median being hacked at night to ensure an unobstructed view of an "I Love Patuli" signage installed along a water body, which has become a popular hangout zone in the evening.
"Trees like palash, arjun, and neem were mercilessly cut. Though we filed a complaint on Sept 15, 2023, no action was taken. We felt hurt by the lack of sensitivity displayed by cops.
But we are glad that the force's attitude towards tree felling has changed, and they acted against a man for felling a tree on Thursday," said Monoj Mukherjee, a Patuli resident and former senior scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, who has planted over 5,000 trees since he settled in Patuli in 2008.
For former bank executive Swapan Biswas, one of his life's passions and missions has been planting trees. Wherever he was posted, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Gurgaon, Biswas left his mark with chhatim trees.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Dark spots can age you by 10 years! Just take this from Guardian
URUHIME MOMOKO
Learn More
Undo
Since moving to Patuli in 1999, he has planted over 400 trees, including chhatim and other flower-bearing species. On Friday, the 77-year-old joined a few others in planting four saplings.
"When we came here, Patuli had very few trees. Fortunately, many who took up residence here were aware of the importance of trees and started planting with zeal. Over time, Patuli transformed into one of the greenest neighbourhoods in the city," Biswas said.
Ashesh Lahiri, a retired Indian Forest Service officer who lives in Patuli, helped the citizens select and plant trees before monsoon. "Over 130 species of trees were planted. which have transformed Patuli into an oasis in the urban jungle. Though we observed an Aranya Week in Baishnabghata in 1989, it was around a decade later that citizens joined in to begin the greening drive in 1997-98. I moved into the area in 2002-03 and helped with species selection to improve biodiversity," he said.
