In a world driven by rapid urbanisation, deforestation has become a norm. Trees are being cut mercilessly to build skyscrapers, highways, and expand cities, leaving vast stretches of land dry and lifeless. As green cover shrinks, concerns around climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising temperatures continue to grow. But even amid all this environmental crisis, stories of hope are emerging from unexpected corners that restore our faith in humanity. Such is the story of Mahesh Sarathi, a retired teacher from Newton Chikhli, Madhya Pradesh, whose determination changed the entire narrative in his own way.
Man fulfils mother’s dream by planting saplings
Mahesh Sarathi was never a die-hard environmentalist, but fate made him one, all because he wanted to fulfil his mother’s wish. He decided to transform a neglected part of his ancestral land, which was barren, unsuitable for farming and short on water. So, what he did was plant as many saplings as he could with his wife, despite both being working professionals and having limited time and resources.
They started the plant-sampling mission in 1997 and worked steadily until 2010, covering approximately 7.86 acres of land. Soon, the dry and uneven patch of land bloomed with rows of teak, amla, neem, palash, kanji, babool and shisham and other fruit-bearing trees where peacocks call out at dawn and birds settlie in by dusk. What stands out the most is that Mahesh Sarathi made it possible without the intervention of a government body or a conservation group.
Barren land transformed into green wildlife habitat
As per Mahesh Sarathi, his mother, Jugiya Bai, was fond of planting trees. She always wanted her land to have dense plantations. That dream was implanted in the heart of Mahesh. Since he could not take up farming, he and his wife decided to use this barren portion and see what could grow there. Over time, the plantation, registered under the Parasia forest range, featured over 5,000 teak trees and several other species.
Mahesh Sarathi estimated that most teak trunks have a diameter of over 28 cm and each mature tree carries substantial market value. He has spent close to Rs 40 lakh from personal savings, insurance and loans, with an incentive support of Rs 15,000 from the Forest Research and Extension Centre. The area also draws wildlife with peacocks, rabbits, wild boars and several birds already making the space their green habitat.
For Mahesh Sarathi, a piece of land that once lay unused now carries forward his mother's memory and he rekindles it by consistently planting trees and taking care of them.
Man fulfils mother’s dream by planting saplings
Mahesh Sarathi was never a die-hard environmentalist, but fate made him one, all because he wanted to fulfil his mother’s wish. He decided to transform a neglected part of his ancestral land, which was barren, unsuitable for farming and short on water. So, what he did was plant as many saplings as he could with his wife, despite both being working professionals and having limited time and resources.
They started the plant-sampling mission in 1997 and worked steadily until 2010, covering approximately 7.86 acres of land. Soon, the dry and uneven patch of land bloomed with rows of teak, amla, neem, palash, kanji, babool and shisham and other fruit-bearing trees where peacocks call out at dawn and birds settlie in by dusk. What stands out the most is that Mahesh Sarathi made it possible without the intervention of a government body or a conservation group.
Barren land transformed into green wildlife habitat
As per Mahesh Sarathi, his mother, Jugiya Bai, was fond of planting trees. She always wanted her land to have dense plantations. That dream was implanted in the heart of Mahesh. Since he could not take up farming, he and his wife decided to use this barren portion and see what could grow there. Over time, the plantation, registered under the Parasia forest range, featured over 5,000 teak trees and several other species.
Mahesh Sarathi estimated that most teak trunks have a diameter of over 28 cm and each mature tree carries substantial market value. He has spent close to Rs 40 lakh from personal savings, insurance and loans, with an incentive support of Rs 15,000 from the Forest Research and Extension Centre. The area also draws wildlife with peacocks, rabbits, wild boars and several birds already making the space their green habitat.
For Mahesh Sarathi, a piece of land that once lay unused now carries forward his mother's memory and he rekindles it by consistently planting trees and taking care of them.
