Once upon a time, in Jamkhandi Layout of Dharwad, there were trees, farms and lakes. But today, they are replaced by concrete buildings.
The birds that once had a home in the farms and trees are now homeless. But Pandit Munji of Dharwad has found a solution to conserve environment — plant trees. What started as a hobby has now become his life's goal. In 2001, Pandit Munji created a Guinness record by growing a 70 feet cereus cactus plant.
Subsequently, Munji started growing ornamental plants, medicinal plants, cactus, bonsai and fruit-bearing plants in his kitchen garden. But he soon realised the need to spread awareness about the need to grow and protect trees and involve more people. Consequently, he brought together 30 neighbours and encouraged kitchen gardening among them. As a result, the entire neighbourhood turned into a green haven. But Pandit Munji still wasn't happy. He noticed that a plot, which was allotted for developing a garden, had turned into a dumpyard. He, along with the neighbours decided to request the municipality to transfer the plot in their name so that they can create a green space. This request was instantly approved and the Jamkhandi Layout Residents' Welfare Sangh was established. The first thing the group did was clearing the plot of all garbage.
The Forest Department donated saplings and every member planted one tree in the plot. The responsibility of nurturing the plants was borne by the residents of the layout. Pandit Munji decided to take it upon himself to look after the upkeep of the plot. Over the next two years, Pandit Munji and his team cleared the garbage, watered the existing plants and brought in new saplings to create a green space. What's more, they also hung plastic trays and pots with water and food to attract birds. Even the municipality pitched in by creating a small walking path, fencing, gate and a play area for kids. Some of the residents of the layout also contributed for cement benches in the park.
Today, the park boasts of plants of different species like neem, peepal, mugilamallige, bilva, nagalinga pushpa, kadamba, banni and more. You can also find many flowering ornamental plants such as heliconia, bottle palm, jacaranda, tabebuia along with cactus and bougainvillea adorning the park. The residents are planning to develop Rashi vana, Navagraha vana and Panchavati vana with specific plants in the park.
For the past 10 years, the park has been winning the champion trophy at the annual 'Fruits and Flowers Exhibition' organised by the Horticulture Department, municipal corporation and the Zilla Panchayat of Dharwad. Apart from being a home for many plants and trees, this park has also become an ideal spot for the area's senior citizens to gather and talk about their lives, kids to play, and a resting spot for birds. Every year, the residents celebrate the park's anniversary with games and cultural competitions, where meritorious students are given prizes. Environment-friendly and social messages are also painted on the walls of the park to complement the campaign.
Around 40 families in the area donate Rs 500 per year for the upkeep of the park. "Initially, we faced a lot of difficulties. We collected saplings from different places. Protecting the plants and nurturing them were not easy. But the entire effort was participatory and from every house, we brought two pots of water and watered the plants," says Dr Nandihalli a resident of the area. "We humans are not permanent on this planet, but the trees we plant survive for generations to come. Active public participation has changed the park for the better. Today, this park has set a model for others," says Pandit Munji.
If every locality had someone like Pandit Munji and if everyone pitched in to help preserve greenery, our world will be a much happier and healthier place.
Malati Hegde
(Translated by A Varsha Rao)![]( "collaboration Pandit Munji (bottom, far right) along with other residents tending the garden in Jamkhandi Layout, Dharwad.")
Once upon a time, in Jamkhandi Layout of Dharwad, there were trees, farms and lakes. But today, they are replaced by concrete buildings.
The birds that once had a home in the farms and trees are now homeless. But Pandit Munji of Dharwad has found a solution to conserve environment — plant trees. What started as a hobby has now become his life’s goal. In 2001, Pandit Munji created a Guinness record by growing a 70 feet cereus cactus plant.
Subsequently, Munji started growing ornamental plants, medicinal plants, cactus, bonsai and fruit-bearing plants in his kitchen garden. But he soon realised the need to spread awareness about the need to grow and protect trees and involve more people. Consequently, he brought together 30 neighbours and encouraged kitchen gardening among them. As a result, the entire neighbourhood turned into a green haven. But Pandit Munji still wasn’t happy. He noticed that a plot, which was allotted for developing a garden, had turned into a dumpyard. He, along with the neighbours decided to request the municipality to transfer the plot in their name so that they can create a green space. This request was instantly approved and the Jamkhandi Layout Residents’ Welfare Sangh was established. The first thing the group did was clearing the plot of all garbage.
The Forest Department donated saplings and every member planted one tree in the plot. The responsibility of nurturing the plants was borne by the residents of the layout. Pandit Munji decided to take it upon himself to look after the upkeep of the plot. Over the next two years, Pandit Munji and his team cleared the garbage, watered the existing plants and brought in new saplings to create a green space. What’s more, they also hung plastic trays and pots with water and food to attract birds. Even the municipality pitched in by creating a small walking path, fencing, gate and a play area for kids. Some of the residents of the layout also contributed for cement benches in the park.
Today, the park boasts of plants of different species like neem, peepal, mugilamallige, bilva, nagalinga pushpa, kadamba, banni and more. You can also find many flowering ornamental plants such as heliconia, bottle palm, jacaranda, tabebuia along with cactus and bougainvillea adorning the park. The residents are planning to develop Rashi vana, Navagraha vana and Panchavati vana with specific plants in the park.
For the past 10 years, the park has been winning the champion trophy at the annual 'Fruits and Flowers Exhibition’ organised by the Horticulture Department, municipal corporation and the Zilla Panchayat of Dharwad. Apart from being a home for many plants and trees, this park has also become an ideal spot for the area’s senior citizens to gather and talk about their lives, kids to play, and a resting spot for birds. Every year, the residents celebrate the park’s anniversary with games and cultural competitions, where meritorious students are given prizes. Environment-friendly and social messages are also painted on the walls of the park to complement the campaign.
Around 40 families in the area donate Rs 500 per year for the upkeep of the park. "Initially, we faced a lot of difficulties. We collected saplings from different places. Protecting the plants and nurturing them were not easy. But the entire effort was participatory and from every house, we brought two pots of water and watered the plants,” says Dr Nandihalli a resident of the area. "We humans are not permanent on this planet, but the trees we plant survive for generations to come. Active public participation has changed the park for the better. Today, this park has set a model for others,” says Pandit Munji.
If every locality had someone like Pandit Munji and if everyone pitched in to help preserve greenery, our world will be a much happier and healthier place.
Malati Hegde
(Translated by A Varsha Rao)
The birds that once had a home in the farms and trees are now homeless. But Pandit Munji of Dharwad has found a solution to conserve environment — plant trees. What started as a hobby has now become his life's goal. In 2001, Pandit Munji created a Guinness record by growing a 70 feet cereus cactus plant.
Subsequently, Munji started growing ornamental plants, medicinal plants, cactus, bonsai and fruit-bearing plants in his kitchen garden. But he soon realised the need to spread awareness about the need to grow and protect trees and involve more people. Consequently, he brought together 30 neighbours and encouraged kitchen gardening among them. As a result, the entire neighbourhood turned into a green haven. But Pandit Munji still wasn't happy. He noticed that a plot, which was allotted for developing a garden, had turned into a dumpyard. He, along with the neighbours decided to request the municipality to transfer the plot in their name so that they can create a green space. This request was instantly approved and the Jamkhandi Layout Residents' Welfare Sangh was established. The first thing the group did was clearing the plot of all garbage.
The Forest Department donated saplings and every member planted one tree in the plot. The responsibility of nurturing the plants was borne by the residents of the layout. Pandit Munji decided to take it upon himself to look after the upkeep of the plot. Over the next two years, Pandit Munji and his team cleared the garbage, watered the existing plants and brought in new saplings to create a green space. What's more, they also hung plastic trays and pots with water and food to attract birds. Even the municipality pitched in by creating a small walking path, fencing, gate and a play area for kids. Some of the residents of the layout also contributed for cement benches in the park.
Today, the park boasts of plants of different species like neem, peepal, mugilamallige, bilva, nagalinga pushpa, kadamba, banni and more. You can also find many flowering ornamental plants such as heliconia, bottle palm, jacaranda, tabebuia along with cactus and bougainvillea adorning the park. The residents are planning to develop Rashi vana, Navagraha vana and Panchavati vana with specific plants in the park.
For the past 10 years, the park has been winning the champion trophy at the annual 'Fruits and Flowers Exhibition' organised by the Horticulture Department, municipal corporation and the Zilla Panchayat of Dharwad. Apart from being a home for many plants and trees, this park has also become an ideal spot for the area's senior citizens to gather and talk about their lives, kids to play, and a resting spot for birds. Every year, the residents celebrate the park's anniversary with games and cultural competitions, where meritorious students are given prizes. Environment-friendly and social messages are also painted on the walls of the park to complement the campaign.
Around 40 families in the area donate Rs 500 per year for the upkeep of the park. "Initially, we faced a lot of difficulties. We collected saplings from different places. Protecting the plants and nurturing them were not easy. But the entire effort was participatory and from every house, we brought two pots of water and watered the plants," says Dr Nandihalli a resident of the area. "We humans are not permanent on this planet, but the trees we plant survive for generations to come. Active public participation has changed the park for the better. Today, this park has set a model for others," says Pandit Munji.
If every locality had someone like Pandit Munji and if everyone pitched in to help preserve greenery, our world will be a much happier and healthier place.
Malati Hegde
(Translated by A Varsha Rao)
Once upon a time, in Jamkhandi Layout of Dharwad, there were trees, farms and lakes. But today, they are replaced by concrete buildings. The birds that once had a home in the farms and trees are now homeless. But Pandit Munji of Dharwad has found a solution to conserve environment — plant trees. What started as a hobby has now become his life’s goal. In 2001, Pandit Munji created a Guinness record by growing a 70 feet cereus cactus plant.
Subsequently, Munji started growing ornamental plants, medicinal plants, cactus, bonsai and fruit-bearing plants in his kitchen garden. But he soon realised the need to spread awareness about the need to grow and protect trees and involve more people. Consequently, he brought together 30 neighbours and encouraged kitchen gardening among them. As a result, the entire neighbourhood turned into a green haven. But Pandit Munji still wasn’t happy. He noticed that a plot, which was allotted for developing a garden, had turned into a dumpyard. He, along with the neighbours decided to request the municipality to transfer the plot in their name so that they can create a green space. This request was instantly approved and the Jamkhandi Layout Residents’ Welfare Sangh was established. The first thing the group did was clearing the plot of all garbage.
The Forest Department donated saplings and every member planted one tree in the plot. The responsibility of nurturing the plants was borne by the residents of the layout. Pandit Munji decided to take it upon himself to look after the upkeep of the plot. Over the next two years, Pandit Munji and his team cleared the garbage, watered the existing plants and brought in new saplings to create a green space. What’s more, they also hung plastic trays and pots with water and food to attract birds. Even the municipality pitched in by creating a small walking path, fencing, gate and a play area for kids. Some of the residents of the layout also contributed for cement benches in the park.
Today, the park boasts of plants of different species like neem, peepal, mugilamallige, bilva, nagalinga pushpa, kadamba, banni and more. You can also find many flowering ornamental plants such as heliconia, bottle palm, jacaranda, tabebuia along with cactus and bougainvillea adorning the park. The residents are planning to develop Rashi vana, Navagraha vana and Panchavati vana with specific plants in the park.
For the past 10 years, the park has been winning the champion trophy at the annual 'Fruits and Flowers Exhibition’ organised by the Horticulture Department, municipal corporation and the Zilla Panchayat of Dharwad. Apart from being a home for many plants and trees, this park has also become an ideal spot for the area’s senior citizens to gather and talk about their lives, kids to play, and a resting spot for birds. Every year, the residents celebrate the park’s anniversary with games and cultural competitions, where meritorious students are given prizes. Environment-friendly and social messages are also painted on the walls of the park to complement the campaign.
Around 40 families in the area donate Rs 500 per year for the upkeep of the park. "Initially, we faced a lot of difficulties. We collected saplings from different places. Protecting the plants and nurturing them were not easy. But the entire effort was participatory and from every house, we brought two pots of water and watered the plants,” says Dr Nandihalli a resident of the area. "We humans are not permanent on this planet, but the trees we plant survive for generations to come. Active public participation has changed the park for the better. Today, this park has set a model for others,” says Pandit Munji.
If every locality had someone like Pandit Munji and if everyone pitched in to help preserve greenery, our world will be a much happier and healthier place.
Malati Hegde
(Translated by A Varsha Rao)