Odisha: Sambalpur teacher grows own forest

SAMBALPUR: Not everyone has the reverence for trees that we once had; but a teacher from Bargarh has emerged as a glimmer of hope amid the rising climate crisis.
Dolamani Satpathy, 57, had purchased a 14-acre of land, close to Bargarh district, in 1998 with Rs 2.5 lakhs. And so, with a love for nature and wildlife, Satpathy hired two persons and they started planting saplings on the barren land for the next 22 years. The land, which is situated at village Santhara on the foothills of Barapahad under Ambabhona block, is now a small dense forest.

The forest at village Sachhara under Ambabhona block near Bargarh
“I saw the abandoned land and decided to carry out plantation there. After purchasing it, I had hired two persons. All of us started planting saplings of mango, teak, bamboo, mahua, sishu, harida, bahada and several other medicinal plants,” Satpathy, who is currently posted at the George High School in Bargarh town, said.
“It took a long time to make the barren land effective, but along the way it became a habitat for a vast range of animals and other plant species. Wild boar, barking deer, Sambar, peacock and elephants, among other species can be seen there. The trees have reduced the risk of flooding and protected soil from erosion,” Satpathy added. As the place is near Debrigarh Reserve Forest and has a natural source of water, animals and birds keep coming back to the place
“The two persons stayed constructing a hut near the land and stayed there. They took care of the plants. I spent most of my time looking after it during my holidays,” he said, adding that he was posted at the VSS High School, Dungri, when the idea dawned upon him.
“Deforestation is aggravating the climate crisis. Trees define the future of humanity and our lives. We must create forests for a balanced ecosystem,” the teacher said. He regularly holds awareness camps to teach people the benefits of planting.
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