Barren hill turns into lush forest after activist takes up plantation work

Berhampur: Around a decade ago, Rangamatia hill near Ramachandrapalli in Ganjam district’s Chikiti block was a barren land. Now it is a lush green forest. Thanks to Sudhir Kumar Rout, 65, an environmental activist, who decided to convert the hill into a forest in 2017.

“During a plantation drive, I noticed the barren Rangamatia hill. I decided to plant on the hill. Initially, local people mocked me. Their mindset changed when the seeds started germinating,” recalled Rout, an academician and director of Aryabhatta Foundation here.

To grow a forest, Rout and his team plant the saplings, sow the seeds as well as throw the seed balls on the barren hill ahead of the monsoon. Seeing the success of Rangamatia, he took up other barren hills for plantation in the subsequent years. So far, he has completed covering 20 barren and small hills in five blocks, including Chikiti, Digapahandi, Rangeilunda, Kukudakhandi and Sanakhemundi.

“Before taking up plantation, we discuss with the local people about the varieties of trees on the hill before it became barren. We plant those plants as their chances of survival are more,” he said. “After planting or sowing the seeds, we visit the area frequently to take care of the plants and water them. In several areas, labourers were engaged to water the trees. Due to their sincere and continuous efforts, around 70% to 80% of plants survived,” he added.

Rout has also carried out plantations on barren land in the last two decades. For all plantation activities, Rout spends from his own pocket. On an average, he spends around Rs 4 lakh every year on plantations, to create awareness on a plastic-free society and conservation of water bodies. Some nature lovers and social activists extend their labour for the plantation drive.

On Friday, Rout launched a drive to create awareness on the conservation of water bodies in Silk City. At each pond, he spent around half an hour convincing the local people not to pollute the water by throwing waste. “We are very happy as some local youths immediately stuck posters near the pond advising people not to throw garbage,” he added.