Khirod Jena of Odisha has been planting saplings in his village and surrounding areas for the last 16 years. He not only plants the plants but also takes care of them. So far, he has planted about 20 thousand trees and plants. Wherever Khirod sees an empty space, he starts filling it with greenery. Due to his efforts, today children of many villages are eating fresh fruits, while many poor families are earning some income by collecting fruits and transporting them to the market.
Talking to The Better India, Khirod spoke about his campaign.
“I am originally from Kalashree village in Jajpur. Raised in a farmer family and after 12th, I got selected in the Indian Army. After serving in the army for many years, when I felt that I should now spend time with family, I took retirement at the age of 42. But when he reached the village after retirement, he saw that the problems are the same. But along with these problems, the greenery has also started decreasing from the village. There are no trees on the side of the road and forests have also been reduced,” he says.
Khirod thought that by working for his village and surrounding areas, he would only contribute to the progress of the country. So from 2005 he started plantation from his village. Soon, his work spread to the surrounding villages as well and today people not only appreciate him for this work but are also inspired by him.
Planted 20 thousand trees of fruits like mango, berries
Khirod says that he first started work from his village. He planted mango, jamun and plum saplings on both sides of the paths in the village and continued to take care of them. “He used to start planting trees as soon as the rainy season started. Planted saplings in many places and seeds were planted in many places. In the beginning, people used to make a lot of jokes. They used to say that he has come after retiring from the army, yet he has gone mad. He is engaged in trees and plants throughout the day and there is no work for him. But in three-four years, when the saplings I planted became trees and started bearing fruits, the same people were tying pools of praise,” he said.
In three to four years, Khirod’s hard work started paying off and his village was filled with greenery. The plants planted by him became trees and started giving shade, pure air and fresh fruits to the people. When the people around came to know about his work, everyone used to come to meet him. As Khirod became associated with the people, he realized that he should work in more villages. So after Kalashree he also worked in villages like Gajendrapur, Raipur, Parthapur, Fakirmiya Patna, Saudia, Barpara, Kampagarh, Haldharpur, and Talua.
He claims to have planted 20,000 trees, including fruit trees like mango, jamun, guava and jackfruit, in 11 villages of seven gram panchayats. Apart from this, he has also made it green by planting trees and plants on a hill that has been barren for many years.
Devashish, a teacher from Kalashree village, says, “Khirod ji’s work has not only increased greenery but has also brought awareness to the environment and surroundings among people. When he sees empty space anywhere, he starts planting trees. Seeing them, we were also inspired that it is our duty to protect the environment. Those who used to taunt them earlier, now the children of the same houses are eating fresh fruits. Poor people in villages are also getting employment.”
do all the work with your pension
He further explains that till now he has done most of the work from his pension. Every month he spends some money from his pension only for things like plantation, plant care, tree guard. “Plus, there are many good people in the world. If you take a good step forward, then many more sincere people will join you and continue to increase this good work. I give some money from my pension and sometimes others also get help,” he said.
Initially, he was assisted by some of his comrades from the 285th Medium Regiment as well. He says that Colonel NA Kadam and Brigadier MK Upreti from the regiment then sent him some financial help from their side. After this, people earning good income in villages are also coming forward for this noble cause.
Khirod collects seeds of different fruits like mango kernels, jamun kernels or jackfruit seeds every year. He prepares some of these in his own home. Before the rains start in June, he selects the place and then as soon as the rain starts, he starts planting and planting seeds.
Thereafter, he goes 10 days a month to take care of the plants. He told that he has hired an employee on the salary of five thousand rupees per month. With which, he himself goes from village to village, gives fertilizer to the trees and plants, comes after harvesting them. The rest of the time the worker takes care of the plants.
Earlier the people of the village used to make fun of him. But now the people of the village are taking care of the trees and plants. He connected with the literate people of the village and told them about his campaign. They also understood their point and all are working together in the interest of the environment. Khirod’s aim is to plant one lakh saplings and take care of them and make them trees so that even after their departure, the generations to come can get pure air. For this work, he has been honored with awards like ‘Atma Award,’ ‘Green Soldier Samman’ and ‘Prakriti Bandhu’.
Of course, Khirod Jena is an inspiration to all of us today. We hope that more and more people will join hands with him to help him complete this campaign.
Editing – G N Jha
Also read: Ram Master: Thousands of saplings planted along the road for 15 km, father-like affection given till the tree becomes a tree
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