Manoj Kumar (54), a resident of Bettiah in West Champaran district has pledged to make a balance in the natural ecosystem. He has taken the effort to minimise the effects of environmental pollution and global warming on human health and existence.
Belonging from a middle-class family and honours in Zoology from Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Mr. Kumar is all out to prove everyone wrong that one person cannot bring the change. This man alone has planted over 10000 saplings at his own cost in a span of 19 years.
Impressed with his work, the Bihar government has decided to felicitate and reward him on June 5, 2025 on the occasion of World Environment Day during the state function organised at Gyan Bhavan in Patna.
“Balance in ecological systems is very important for sustainable growth. Rising human population and selfish development has deteriorated the quality of soil, water and air and also disturbed the balance in natural ecosystems. Nowadays several ecosystems on earth are in great danger which has created an alarming situation for the survival of a number of organisms on the earth,”Mr. Kumar told The Hindu.
Asked about the beginning, he further said, “Considering major challenges and issues in ecology, I started a campaign right from 2007 as a case study to protect the environment in the public domain.”
The occasion was the 150th anniversary, India’s first war of Independence of, the revolt of 1857 (1857-2007) and he linked the plantation of saplings in the memory of freedom fighters and armed forces to protect the environment and to strengthen patriotism.
Working in a pharmaceutical company, Mr. Kumar has two daughters and a son. While one daughter is doing computer science from NIT Patna whereas the second daughter is preparing for competitive exams.
Despite being on a low salary, he started the plantation, though his wife Rani Sarraf initially did not like his act but later she also understood its value.
“I try my level best to make people aware about the importance of plantation, the need of conservation of forest, water, soil and air. I am not alone now and several people help on the concept of 3 ‘P’ that is Plant, Planet and Patriotism,”Mr. Kumar said.
His team offers citizens to plant saplings by their own hand so that they may get sentimentally attached with plants and not damage it.
The activity is performed at public places (by getting permission from government of Bihar) like schools, colleges, hospitals, paramilitary premises, besides roads at villages, towns, Valmiki Tiger reserve and even in neighbouring country Nepal.
“We have a mission and vision to make India green having 33% of forest area when we celebrate the 175 anniversary of 1857,”Mr. Kumar asserted.
Many of the saplings planted by Mr. Kumar in Bettiah as well as in Nepal have grown into healthy plants. Mr. Kumar asserted that due to financial problems, he even used to withdraw the PF to do the plantation in the initial days.
Now his children also motivate their friends to do plantations to increase the greenery.
Sunil Kumar, Minister, Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will honour him at the function organised by Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB).
Published – June 05, 2025 03:51 am IST
