The quiet crusader

Ten thousands trees planted and still counting ! That is north Kolkata-based Amit Hajra's track record as a green crusader.

Ten thousands trees planted and still counting ! That is north Kolkata-based Amit Hajra’s track record as a green crusader. As a tree lover ,49-year-old Amit goes on planting trees in the places where ,according to him,a tree can survive and grow. Amit has devoted his life for greening the city quietly where the trees are being cut faster than lightening.

Amit Hajra,an employee of a private company in Howrah and a resident of Girisp Park in north Kolkata,has taken up the challenge to make the city green. Even though Amit earns a meager amount of money —around Rs 6,000 a month- — by which he can hardly run his four-member-family,he never thinks of giving up the unique work of planting trees by along the roads and other suitable places.

For last 21 years,I have been planting trees in several places of the city. I look after them. I am a poor person and I do not earn much. But I manage my hobby of planting trees for the sake of the city on my own. Though,I faced serious opposition from my family as they think planting trees is a wastage of a money for a person who earns so less,I cannot restraint myself from doing this work. My wife gives me support in this work, said Hajra.

With a dream of making the city greener,Hajra did not marry till 45 years of his age as he thought he would be a burden on his family as he would not be able to leave trees for anything else. I do not need anything in my life. I can live my life without having food for a day and wearing one shirt for a week. But I cannot live if I am asked to leave planting trees. I love nature. This might seem to be madness to others,but for me planting trees is the work I want to do for the society. I get my reward when I see birds making their nests on the trees planted by me and people sitting under those trees, added Hajra.

Hajra also makes bamboo fencing and nets to protect the trees. I make the fences on my own and colour them. Making a fence for a tree costs me around Rs 800. I use a part of my salary for this purpose as I do not get any financial assistance from anybody.

Amit has been engaged in this activity since 1979. he said the city is losing its city cover at an alarming rate. Even though,Amit has faced several difficulties including assaults on him by shop owners and businessmen who are keen to cut down the trees,he has not given up. He wishes that others also spare some time and energy for the cause.

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