A green Kathmandu is still possible. Planting a tree is a simple and powerful act that any individual can partake in. It’s not time consuming nor does it require constant attention. A person can choose a sapling of any tree that he prefers, and enjoy watching the growth process of the tree. If it’s a fruit tree, he can even take benefit of the fruits it bears.[break]
Shanti Maharjan of Kumari Nursery at Sohrakhutte says that less than 10 people in a month come looking to buy a tree sapling.
“We stock only a few varieties like pine and Ratki Rani (Jasmine) which cost anywhere between Rs 150 to Rs 800,” she says. Most buyers are from outside the Kathmandu Valley and take at least two saplings.
Educational institutions are the base for every child’s learning and development. Schools should focus on the significance of healthy environment not just in theory but most particularly in practice.
Through the “One Child One Tree” campaign, a tree is planted for every child starting its first day of school. As it teaches the child to look after her tree and even maintain an emotional connection with it, the child will learn about nature and its importance. The most important thing about this campaign is to learn to maintain the tree. Anyone can participate in the movement and even plant a tree for every child one loves.
ChangeFusion Nepal has already started this campaign. They have visited schools and set up flyers to alert people about the importance of the campaign. With the new academic session beginning on April, they expect parents to visit a nursery with their child and choose a tree. The tree will grow along with the child, and awareness regarding the importance of greenery will be stamped on the child.
Luna Shrestha Thakur, Founding Director of ChangeFusion Nepal, says, “This way, the relationship between a parent, child and the tree will also be strong. They will spend time with the tree and will be excited at its every new development.”
Shikha Bahety, 24, is a member of The Greener Ktm Drive. The club was founded last year and its members meet on the last Saturday of each month. Its first work was to give away free tree saplings at Civil Mall in Sundhara.
“We gave away around 150 saplings. Initially, we had to approach people, but later people started approaching us and asking questions. They were curious about what we were doing and why. It was the older generation who showed more interest,” says Shikha.
A few months later, the club even planted some 30 tree saplings in Jyoti Hospital in Kalimati. The road expansion program was just beginning then and the pollution was increasing in the area, recollects Shikha.
According to Rabin Man Singh, Environment Division Chief at KMC, a target for planting a minimum of one thousand trees in a year is currently being set. A hundred trees have been planted along the road leading from Kalo Pul to Gaushala, and next week, KMC will be planting 100 trees in Teku.
“Because of development activities in the capital, we’ve had to take things slowly,” he says. KMC had planted trees along the road from Maitighar to Tinkune which unfortunately had to be cut down due to road expansion. They’re now waiting for the expansion to finish in a few months and will then proceed to plant trees. The older trees around town will also be cut down and replaced with saplings.
Planting a tree doesn’t require any complex planning or masses of people. Any individual can do it, and every bit of effort is of tremendous importance. Trees will provide us with healthier environment, less pollution and better looking sights around town. At the least, it’s every person’s responsibility to himself to live healthily.
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