Bhagirathi’s backbreaking efforts in raising and protecting her village forest
Bhagirathi’s backbreaking efforts in raising and protecting her village forest
B.D. Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, March 18
Bhagirathi Devi, (80), Sarpanch of ‘Van Panchayat’ of Manar village of Pati block of Champawat district, was honoured by District Magistrate of Champawat Manish Kumar for her uninterrupted dedication to develop forest near her village after she was elected Sarpanch of her ‘Van Panchayat’ in the year 2002.
“After been elected as Sarpanch of ‘Van Panchayat’ of her village, Devi vowed to develop the village forest that had turned almost barren due to illegal falling of trees by villagers who in the absence any check and resistance from anyone, ” said Manish Kumar, District Magistrate Champawat who was speaking after honouring the woman.
“In last 24 years on my duration as Sarpanch of forest panchayat Manar village, I and my companion villagers not only planted over 20000 saplings in the forest but also took care of them by unabatedly protecting these growing saplings, besides regularly watering them and protecting these growing plants from pet and wild animals,” said the 80 years old woman, who changed the face of village forest.
Today, the Manar panchayat forest is not only densely housing over 20000 trees of various wide leaves plants varieties but also led to rich biodiversity of various wild animals and birds of different species.”The Manar forest today is not only good source of fodder for village domestic animals but it has also charged five natural water resources which had gone dry earlier before Bhagirathi Devi started her afforestation work ,”said Gopal Singh Manral, a villager of Manar village. The recharged water sources are fulfilling drinking water needs of several surrounding villages of the area.
Bhagirathi Devi, on the occasion said that in last 24 years she was physically able to plant, protect and irrigate the saplings which have now developed as a forest but she has gone old now and wants new generation to continue her endeavour.”I, and my team of villagers did never care for heat, cold, rain or storm and used our physical strength while protecting and enriching Manar forest with an intention to give it to our future generations but it could only be saved when new generation villagers specially women will take same interest in growing the forest in future as well,” said Bhagirathi Devi.
Champawat DM, Manish Kumar said that Bhagirathi’s work is an ideal example of how we can change our situation with strong will power accompanied by a sense of service with socio environmental awareness in villages that have become denuded of once dense forests around their villages. “Her contribution is not only towards raising a dead forest but in setting an example as how environmental changes could be brought by mobilizing the masses in affected villages of Uttarakhand,” said DM Champawat.
