Plant a memory

8220;The idea of the memory of a loved one living on as part of nature was first initiated by S.V. Ketkar, along with 11 other trustees. At the time, the Jnanaprabodhini Trust granted us this hillock on a 10-year lease and work on the project began with only 16 donors, each of whom paid Rs. 500 towards the support of the plant,8221; remembers Medha Joshi, secretary. Nisarga Sevak would procure the plant selected by the donor and a metal plate affixed to the plant would indicate in whose memory the sapling had been planted.

The task that lay ahead was uphill, in more ways than one. The rocky area, covered by patches of mud, all on a gradient, and the lack of readily available water, was not conducive to all kinds of plantation. In the absence of a fence, the land, habitually used as pasture by shepherds, would have to be kept free of constant encroachment by sheep and cows. The tall grass that grew there added to the risk of fire.

8220;There were times when we members would rush back here after work to find that the land had been overrun with cattle or the protective mesh put carefully around each new sapling had been swept away by the wind,8221; says Manmohan Joshi, treasurer. Till a Pune Municipal Corporation pipeline and a pump was installed the following year, water was drawn from a well nearby and a few workers were employed to water the plants.

The enthusiastic members also went out of their way to procure the exact species of the sapling that the donor had in mind. 8220;One member wanted a badam tree which we could not find in any nursery we visited. Finally, we were able to get it at the Empress Botanical Gardens when a member had gone there on a visit. It must be the strong emotional bond that the donors share with the plants here which has ensured their survival,8221; affirms Joshi.

Above all, it is the undeniable emotional attachment which lifts this project above the ordinary. As you wander through Smritivan, the metal boards that hang from the plants tell of heart-tugging instances of the faith that nature inspires in people. A mango tree planted by litterateur P.L. Deshpande, in memory of singer Vasantrao Deshpande, stands in place.

The message has obviously spread beyond boundaries, for in another corner stands a plaque dedicated to a Japanese, Professor Hiroshi Fukozawa. 8220;He worked at the Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal for sometime and had wanted a part of him to live on after him in the land he loved. His wife and son planted a banyan sapling. A year ago, the son, when on a visit to India, came to see this special plant. quot;Another time, one lady planted a sapling in memory of her grandmother, two trees away from that of the latter8217;s friend, because they used to stay two houses away!,8221; says Vilas Ajgaonkar, a member.

Smritivan serves to keep alive not just the memory of a person but also the treasured moments as well. 8220;When one donor, Uday Tikekar, came to know that the banyan tree he used to swing under in his village had been felled, he planted one here instead,8221; says Joshi. Some donors think this planting is the perfect way to celebrate a birthday or a wedding anniversary!

The efforts put into Smritivan received state recognition when it was conferred with the Vanashree award in 1991.

8220;We would like to spread the message of afforestation. So we also undertake several nature education activities in municipal schools, including slide shows and educational trips. We also want to help other Smritivan projects to come up in the state and are willing to give guidance,8221; says Joshi.Through its dedicated members, Smritivan continues to reinforce the strong link that binds Nature and man.