World Environment Day today: Every Sunday, they spend four hours tending to the plants on Shankargarh Hill, working in collaboration with the administration and forest department.
Three friends started planting trees, and the DFO gave them the idea, leading to the formation of the Green Army.
Today is World Environment Day. On this occasion, we talk about an organization in the city that is working with the administration and the Municipal Corporation to restore the greenery of Shankargarh Hill, which has become barren due to illegal mining. This organization, the Green Army, has an interesting story to tell. Three friends resolved to plant trees on Shankargarh Hill and stop illegal mining. Meanwhile, one day, the DFO suggested forming an organization and connecting people. This is how the Green Army began. Today, more than 500 people are associated with the organization. Every Sunday, from 6 to 10 am, members work on Shankargarh Hill, watering the plants, cutting grass, applying soil and fertilizer, and making seed balls.
Working since 2016
Samarjit Singh Jadhav of the organization explained that Shankargarh hill was initially being destroyed by illegal mining. Mining was subsequently banned, but the hill remained barren.
In 2016, along with friends Ashutish Chaturvedi and Nitesh Bansal, he resolved to green the hill. The three of them would go there and plant trees. Meanwhile, when illegal mining began, he contacted the then Collector, Ashutosh Awasthi. He would call the Collector whenever mining occurred. During this time, he became associated with the Forest Department through former Ranger Jaiveer Singh. Once, when a large-scale tree plantation was taking place, he participated in the program with members of the Rotary Club. He planted trees, but there were no arrangements for their maintenance.
This is how the Green Army was formed.
Jadhav explained that after the plantation, the main problem was watering and caring for the trees. He informed the then DFO, PN Mishra, about this. One Sunday, Mishra himself visited Shankargarh and inspected the condition of the trees. During this time, he suggested forming an organization and mobilizing people to care for the plants. Following this, the Green Army was launched in 2020, and tree planting and other activities began every Sunday. DFO Mishra also began accompanying ADM Mahendra Singh Kavache and Zilla Panchayat CEO Prakash Singh Chauhan on daily morning walks. This led to the maintenance of the plants. Gradually, various organizations in the city were added, and today, there are approximately 500 members who work at Shankargarh. Every Sunday, the organization’s members spend four hours caring for the plants.
Water Arrangements Made
The challenge facing the Forest Department and the organization was that water was not available at Shankargarh. Consequently, the organization created a water project. A crevice at Shankargarh holds water throughout the year. The organization began collecting water from there. The organization encouraged members to donate water tanks in memory of their loved ones.
The result was that within a week, the Forest Department received approximately 30 water tanks through the organization. Today, 42,000 liters of water is available here, which is being used for the plants. Dinesh Singh Chauhan, Bharat Patidar, Yash Panchal, Sumit Singh Rathore, Chetan Jain, Dharmendra Rathore, Kishore Pushpak Ambrish Kela, Kanhaiyalal Nirankari, Suraj Solanki, Aksh Babar, Shashikant Awasthi and other members are actively involved in the care of the plants.
Target of planting 27,000 trees
Environmental Fortnight will be celebrated in Shankargarh from June 5th. Under the guidance of the Collector, the Forest Department has dug 27,000 pits here. Seed balls made by the Green Army will be made available to the people free of cost.
