Alumni Group Initiates Afforestation Project

A group of the 1984 batch alumni, during their annual meet on 14th September 2019 at IIESTS campus, decided to dedicate themselves to solve the most burning problem of their life time - dangerously depleting ground water.  This depleting ground water level problem exists all over India, however, it is at an alarmingly low level in West Bengal. The group agreed to take the afforestation as a tool towards mitigation and took an oath to plant 30,000 plants by the end of year 2022. With the help of soil and plant scientists they have chosen the right kind of plants (jack fruit) that have the highest water holding capability. These selective species of 30,000 plants will start to recharge the falling water level of 60 hectares of land (500 plants per hectare) or 600,000 square meters of land, after the gestation period of 3 to 4 years only. 

The group selected two experienced NGOs (Pather Dishary of Kolkata & Magic of Malda) to help them in the plantation project. The first set of plantation was completed on 25th September by Pather Dishary with 200 saplings being planted around the following schools of Purulia district: 

Kashipore Giri’s High School.

Kashipore Primary School.

Anara Little Flower School.

Majhipara High School.

Shamindapur Primary School.

Pather Dishary arranged a presentation for the students of those schools highlighting the importance of plantation.  The students were extremely happy with the theme as well as with the snacks provided to them. 

The second set of plantation was completed on 12th November 2019, when Magic distributed and planted 300 grown jackfruit trees (saplings height was more than 6 feet) through the tribal villagers of Basudevpur in the district of Malda.  These jackfruit trees will not only assist in maintaining ground water level but also will be a source of income for the villagers. It’s a win-win situation! 

The group is strategically and effectively involving children in order to achieve greater success.  The reasons being: 

Children get educated quickly about the necessity of co-existence with nature.

Children are adaptive to bond with trees from the very beginning of their lives.

Children get motivated easily to help in the post plantation look after and protections of trees.