Sustainability & Nature

🌱 The Seed Guardian

Meet Padma Shri Awardee Debal Deb, an unsung hero from India. Deb, an ecologist, has single-handedly conserved more than 1420 traditional rice varieties within his two-acre farm in West Bengal, India, becoming the savior of India’s agricultural heritage.

💡 The Impact

Debal’s work not only preserves biodiversity but also aids in the fight against climate change. His traditional rice varieties are climate-resilient and require less water and no chemical fertilizers making them sustainable. Villagers around his farm have started adopting these rice varieties, contributing to the conservation effort.

📍 The Bigger Picture

What started as a personal mission for Deb has now emerged as a beacon of hope for sustainable farming. His farm, called Vrihi, has become a gene bank for traditional rice varieties. It has inspired farmers across India to switch to traditional rice farming, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture.

• Ecologist: Debal Deb
• Rice Varieties Conserved: 1420+
• Location: West Bengal, India

Debal’s efforts have been acknowledged by the Indian government, earning him the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2021. His story underlines the importance of every individual’s role in preserving our environment. For more information, visit here.

It’s a call to everyone to support such initiatives and contribute to sustainable living in whatever way they can. Together, we can ensure a greener, healthier planet for future generations.

🌱 The Green Warrior

In the heart of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, one man has transformed a barren hill into a lush and thriving ecosystem. Marimuthu Yoganathan, a local bus conductor by profession, has dedicated his life to the cause of environment conservation. Over the past three decades, he has planted over 1 lakh trees and thus, earned the title of ‘Tree Man of India’.

💡 The Journey

Yoganathan’s journey as a nature conservationist began in the 1980s when he witnessed massive deforestation in his locality. Disturbed by the environmental degradation, he took it upon himself to restore the green cover, one tree at a time. Despite minimal resources and no formal training, he began planting trees on barren lands, river banks, and public spaces.

📍 The Impact

In the process, Yoganathan has converted a barren hill into a flourishing forest, home to diverse flora and fauna. His consistent efforts have not only enhanced the green cover but also improved local biodiversity and influenced the community’s perspective towards environment conservation.

• Planted over 1 lakh trees in three decades
• Converted a barren hill into a mini forest
• Inspired countless others to join his cause

🔮 The Bigger Picture

Through his persistent efforts, Yoganathan has proven that individual actions, however small, can make a significant impact on nature preservation. His story is a clarion call for each one of us to take responsibility for our environment and work towards its preservation. Read more about his inspiring journey here.