Mayurbhanj: For the past 40 years, he has been tirelessly working towards plantation and creating forests. His love for trees and nature is evident in his appearance. He has single-handedly created forests in several areas, providing shelter and livelihood to countless animals and humans. His efforts have not only helped to combat climate change but have also contributed to the preservation of biodiversity.
Hailing from a poor family, he was drawn to spiritual awareness from a young age and embraced the Sanatan dharma at the age of 12. This helped him to develop a strong bond with trees and the environment. Yes, we talking about Gopinath Singh who has been working for the last four decades to create a greener tomorrow.
Born on April 20, 1954, in Itamundia village in Mayurbhanj district, Gopinath’s passion for trees grew stronger with time. At the age of 30, he embarked on a mission to plant trees and protect the environment. Despite facing numerous challenges, including poverty and hardship, he persevered and continued to work tirelessly towards his goal.
Gopinath’s remarkable story of selfless devotion to tree conservation has gained national recognition. In acknowledgement of his outstanding contributions to forest conservation and plantation, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will honour him on January 26, commemorating the 76th Republic Day of India.
Ommcom News had the opportunity to sit down with the venerable septuagenarian, Gopinath Singh, affectionately known as Gopibaba, to delve into his extraordinary journey as a green crusader and uncover the inspiring story behind his remarkable endeavours.
Every morning, Gopinath would wake up early, complete his daily chores, and visit the local Shiva temple to seek blessings before embarking on his daily work. Over the past 40 years, he has planted hundreds of thousands of trees and medicinal plants, covering an area of 160 hectares. Moreover, he planted over 2,000 Amla (Indian Gooseberry) trees, independently creating a new Amla forest. His efforts have not only helped to combat climate change but have also contributed to the preservation of biodiversity.
Initially, Gopinath worked alone, using his resources to plant and care for the trees. However, as time passed, the local villagers took notice of his efforts and began to provide support and assistance. Today, the forests he created are thriving ecosystems, home to numerous wildlife species.
Despite his exhausting daily routine as a labourer earlier, Gopinath tirelessly devoted his leisure time to planting trees and nurturing their growth. His work inspired the local community, and soon, 110 families from the village joined him in his efforts. Together, they formed the Bana Suraksha Samiti with Gopinath as its president.
Singh has been travelling from village to village, planting trees in infertile lands and spreading awareness about the importance of forests. He has single-handedly created forests in several areas, providing shelter and livelihood to countless animals and humans.
For four decades, Singh has been travelling from village to village, planting trees and spreading awareness about the importance of forests. He has single-handedly created forests in several areas, providing shelter and livelihood to countless animals and humans. His efforts have not only helped to combat climate change but have also contributed to the preservation of biodiversity.
He believes that his work is not just a duty, but a divine calling. “Trees are like Gods. They provide us with oxygen, food, and shelter. It is our responsibility to protect them and preserve the environment.”
Despite losing his wife ten years ago, Gopinath’s family, including his three sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, is proud of his accomplishments.
“If every village had a person like Gopinath, who considers himself a servant of God, environmental issues like climate change might not be as pressing today”, a villager said.
Sharing the driving force behind his remarkable endeavour, he said, “My spiritual journey, which began at the tender age of 12, fostered a deep connection with nature, particularly trees. Planting trees has become an all-consuming passion, bordering on addiction. However, I was dismayed by the rampant encroachment of forest lands by unscrupulous elements. This spurred me to take action, liberating these lands from encroachers and replenishing them with trees. As my efforts bore fruit, the villagers, acknowledging my pivotal role in the plantation drive, elected me president of the Bana Surakhya Samiti. Animals and birds, which had once abandoned these areas, have begun to inhabit the forests once again, revitalizing the ecosystem.”
