“The most effective time to plant a tree was 20 years in the past. The second finest time is now.”
Within the serene village of Sirkot, tucked away within the picturesque Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, lives a 60-year-old farmer whose life story is an inspiring testomony to perseverance, dedication, and environmental stewardship. Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal’s ardour for the surroundings has not solely reworked his personal life however has uplifted his neighborhood.
For over 4 a long time, he has labored tirelessly to revive his land, plant bushes, and create a sustainable future, regardless of numerous challenges. His work got here to nationwide consideration when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his programme, Mann Ki Baat, praised Jagdish’s efforts, a recognition that introduced each pleasure and a way of fulfilment to the common-or-garden farmer.
Jagdish’s journey started within the shadow of non-public loss. He misplaced his father on the age of 18, a pivotal second in his life that left a deep influence. The tragedy might have crushed him, however as an alternative, it grew to become the catalyst for a life constructed round resilience and a deep connection to the earth.
“On the age of 20, I made a agency determination to honour my father’s legacy by doing one thing significant with the land he had left behind,” he tells The Higher India. Along with managing his household’s farm, Jagdish additionally runs a small ration store, which serves as one other approach he contributes to his village’s livelihood.
From disappointment to triumph
In 1990, with no formal coaching however an unshakeable need to enhance his circumstances, Jagdish set out on a mission to plant fruit bushes on his land. He started by planting guava and walnut bushes, assured that these fruit-bearing bushes would thrive and supply a superb yield. However, like many ventures, issues didn’t go as deliberate.
“The yield was not nice, and I confronted quite a few challenges. The bushes I planted weren’t rising effectively, and the outcomes have been disappointing,” Jagdish confesses.
However giving up was by no means an choice for Jagdish. Decided to discover a resolution, he experimented with different tree species that would stand up to the area’s harsh local weather. He planted seesham, deodar, oak, and rhododendron, and to his delight, these bushes flourished.
Within the early years, Jagdish’s work was met with scepticism and outright resistance. The villagers, accustomed to conventional farming strategies, have been fast to query the knowledge of planting bushes within the arid, rocky soil of Sirkot.
“They used to say, ‘What’s the purpose of planting bushes right here? Nothing will develop’,” he recollects. He saved pushing ahead, pushed by a perception that one thing higher was doable for the land and its folks.
The land itself was as unforgiving because the doubts surrounding his endeavour. The farm was distant from his dwelling, and daily, Jagdish needed to trek nearly 5 kilometres by foot to look after the younger bushes. As if that weren’t sufficient, irregular rainfall, coupled with the frequent destruction of his crops by wandering cattle, added to his frustration. “Generally, the cattle from the village would roam by means of my fields and trample over the saplings,” he explains.
Regardless of the quite a few challenges, Jagdish remained undeterred, constantly discovering progressive options. He dug deeper into the soil, reaching underground water sources that might assist maintain his crops. Slowly, issues started to enhance. The bushes began to develop, and as they did, the underground water ranges started to rise.
The underground water that had been trapped beneath the earth started to resurface. “I began offering water to the folks within the village,” Jagdish explains. This easy act made the villagers realise the worth of his efforts. What was as soon as seen as a futile endeavour started to yield efficient outcomes. “At first, folks didn’t perceive, however as soon as they noticed the water move, they started to understand the work I had put in,” Jagdish displays.
Venturing into tea
The success of his tree planting efforts gave Jagdish not solely the satisfaction of restoring his land but in addition the fulfilment of realizing that his work had a broader influence on the neighborhood. It wasn’t nearly enhancing his yield or securing a livelihood; it was about constructing one thing sustainable for future generations.
Because the years handed, Jagdish’s success with bushes impressed him to assume even greater. The federal government, recognising the potential of his land, inspired him to diversify into tea cultivation, a transfer that might not solely add one other layer of sustainability to his work but in addition present much-needed employment for the native folks.
“I began the tea plantations as a approach to enhance the land and create extra employment alternatives,” he says.
Jagdish created jobs for 2 native staff, who’ve been with him for over 25 years, caring for the tea crops and sustaining the forests he had planted. This has not solely offered steady revenue for his staff however has additionally contributed to the long-term sustainability of his land. “I needed to guarantee that folks in my village had work and that the land was taken care of,” Jagdish explains.
From recognition to motion
In 2021, Jagdish’s life took a outstanding flip when Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about his work in Mann Ki Baat. “Once I heard that the Prime Minister had talked about my work, I used to be overjoyed. I by no means anticipated any recognition for what I used to be doing, I used to be doing it for my very own peace and for the nice of future generations,” Jagdish says, his voice crammed with humility and delight.
The point out of his identify introduced a flood of recognition, not only for Jagdish, however for the whole village. “After PM Modi praised my work, folks in my village began taking good care of the forest and crops. A few of them even started planting bushes on their very own land,” Jagdish joyfully shares.
“Individuals in my village now perceive the significance of planting bushes. It’s now not one thing that’s regarded down upon,” he says with delight. The villagers haven’t solely began planting bushes on their very own lands however have additionally learnt to care for them. The as soon as barren land is now dotted with flourishing bushes, and the neighborhood has embraced the tradition of sustainability that Jagdish has labored so arduous to domesticate.
With over one lakh bushes planted, Jagdish plans to broaden his efforts. “I proceed to plant extra bushes throughout varied lands in my village,” he says. His work has develop into a shining instance of environmental guardianship, inspiring others to take proactive steps in safeguarding their very own communities.
Regardless of the popularity and reward, Jagdish stays grounded. “I’m comfortable to see folks in my village planting bushes, however I’m not doing this for any private achieve,” he says. “The true reward for me is realizing that I’m abandoning a greater world for the following technology.”
Jagdish’s dedication to his land and his work stays unwavering. His recommendation is straightforward but profound, “Work with sincerity and from the guts. Don’t count on something in return. Do it as a result of it’s the correct factor to do and since it helps others.”
Altering lives, inspiring motion
Vinod, a 42-year-old small enterprise proprietor and farmer, was impressed by Jagdish Kuniyal to start out planting bushes. “Jagdish gave me crops for my plot and home, and it opened my eyes to how highly effective bushes are for the surroundings,” Vinod says. He has planted guava and orange bushes at his dwelling, which not solely present fruit but in addition beautify the world. “Vegetation give us every thing they’ve — oxygen, shade, and meals,” he shares. Vinod encourages others to plant bushes, believing it’s one of many easiest methods to assist the surroundings.
Harish Pandey, a 54-year-old farmer, was additionally motivated by Jagdish. After seeing Jagdish’s backyard, he determined to create his personal. “Jagdish made me realise that planting bushes may benefit not simply the land however the entire ecosystem,” Harish recollects. His backyard has attracted wildlife, particularly monkeys, which he sees as a constructive signal of his efforts. “It’s an indication that my crops are thriving and serving to the ecosystem,” he says.
Jagdish Kuniyal’s story is a strong reminder that one particular person’s actions can create a ripple impact that modifications not simply their very own life however the lives of many others. His dedication to planting bushes, restoring his land, and galvanizing his neighborhood has made an enduring influence on the surroundings and the folks round him. “No matter work I did, I’m very happy with it. It was years of arduous work, however it has been value it,” he displays with contentment.
Jagdish additional emphasises, “Think about the well-being of society and begin planting bushes to fight local weather change. The federal government should introduce insurance policies to guard bushes, and folks have to recognise the important position of planting extra.” He firmly believes that by means of collective motion, we are able to make a significant influence in addressing local weather change and constructing a sustainable future for all.
“Once you plant bushes, you will need to nurture them like your individual youngsters. For those who give them care, they are going to repay you with a flourishing future,” he concludes.
