Baripada: Although Srinath Patra of Raikali Village in Jadida panchayat of Kaptipada Block in Mayurbhanj District is getting close to 70 years old, his dedication to conserving the environment and planting trees for future generations is unmatched.
At a ripe age when people usually rest at home, he still plants trees every day. A forest close to his town is being protected and kept up by him.
In the locality, Patra is affectionately called – ‘Gacha Manisa’ or the Tree Man. He shares a unique bond with the woods and takes care of the trees as if they are his family.
According to Patra, if the trees survive, the living creatures will survive and the environment will be healthy.
In the morning, the 70-year-old goes out to see the trees after winding up his household chores. Though weak to some extent, physically, Patra’s mental strength is no less than a teenager.
Patra is a role model for environmental protection thanks to his strong resolve and ties to the green movement. In contrast to cities, there is less environmental advocacy in rural hamlets, but the locals are aware of the value of woods, he claimed.
Patra worked at the electricity office in Kaptipada. He set out to defend the woodland close to his hamlet after retiring in 2014. Patra has planted almost 2,000 trees in his property.
“With some assistance from the local administration I can extend my services to other forested areas and add my two cents to saving mother earth,” he added.
