In Jharkhand, trees too get Rakhis

Patan (Palamau) Jharkhand, Aug.5 (ANI): Ahead of the upcoming siblings' festival "Rakhi", scores of people are tying Rakhis (the sacred thread) around trees as part of their attempt to preserve trees from being felled down in the forest-rich Jharkhand state.

These people hope that the sacred Rakhis, which are tied by sisters on their brothers' wrists, will deter the timber traders and mafia from using saw and axe considering the love and affection involve in that gesture.

Rakhis are a protective bondage between brothers and sisters.

Kaushal Kishore Jaiswal of Jharkhand's Palamau district started this drive in 2001. Since then he has distributed and planted around 1.1 million saplings by distributing among villagers of the region. This year, he has set himself a target 300,000 saplings for plantation.

It may be mentioned that Palamau is a drought prone area in Jharkhand also known as Black Shadow zone where otherwise, average rain is below normal level.

Recently during another camp organised by Jaiswal, 15,000 tree saplings were planted in Palhe Village under Patan block of Palamau district.

"This was very good and a much needed thing in the village. People will have better environment and even their economic condition would benefit with the sale of fruits and vegetables from these trees," said Madan Mohan Dubey, a local resident.

During this camp the people tied up 'Raksha Sutra' or Rakhi to trees and vowed to protect the greenery.

"Whenever we go to villages, a large crowd gathers at that place and wherever we have a camp, we make it a point to carry at least 10,000 to 15,000 saplings. I keep on telling the farmers that it is their fixed deposit since we are not into any government job and cannot hope to seek pension in old age. So, it is a noble way of warding off poverty and pollution at the same time and securing a good future," said Kaushal Kishore Jaiswal, an environmentalist in Patan area.

Jaiswal is hopeful that after committing themselves towards the protection of trees and environment, the people of the place could probably witness a good rainfall By Girija Shankar Ojha (ANI)