From when he was somewhat boy, CC Kannan started planting flowers and decorative crops round his home in Ernakulum’s East Marady space. Now 54, he says, “Crops make me completely satisfied. My love for them has solely grown with time.”
The each day wage labourer says that for the previous 25 years, he has actively been planting tree saplings and flowers in public areas, barren lands, and on roadsides.
“Each time I see a backyard filled with flowers, I get excited. As there may be not sufficient area to arrange an enormous backyard close to my home, I cleaned a close-by barren land close to MC Street and planted a number of varieties. All these have been collected from pals and neighbours with out spending any cash,” he says.
This was over 10 years in the past, and finally, new street improvement initiatives uprooted his laborious work. However nothing might cease this inexperienced warrior — he started planting fruit bushes on the street facet. In all, he planted 50 or so, he says, and would get up early every morning to take pots full of water to the world, earlier than heading for work.
“However at some point, I used to be devastated to see that every one the saplings had been uprooted. The panchayat authorities, who’re conscious of my actions, even proceeded with a case however nobody was discovered responsible,” recollects Kannan.
For happiness and the long run
“Regardless that the incident shattered me, I used to be not able to cease my work. As an alternative of planting on roadsides, I selected pre-schools and Anganwadis of the locality. This manner, youngsters might be taught the significance of rising bushes too,” shares Kannan.
After acquired a thumbs up from panchayat authorities, he started visiting colleges in his space with saplings of guava, mango, rambutan, papaya and water apple. These have been planted by the scholars beneath his supervision within the campus, and he instructed them on care for the crops. Kanna would go to every Anganwadi as soon as per week to verify the expansion.
“Not like a couple of adults who discover it ‘enjoyable’ to uproot rising crops, youngsters are curious to see their development. Some even ask their mother and father to develop these crops at dwelling. I believe that is the way in which we are able to convey a few change,” he says.
“Until date, I’ve planted greater than 100 tree saplings in 13 anganwadis in and across the locality. I now get calls from colleges in different districts to plant bushes. I’m very happy to oblige,” he provides.
He additionally says that every one the saplings are sourced from the Karshika Karma Sena in his panchayat, of which Kannan is a member. He says he’s notified when a inventory of fruit crops arrives, and he collects them as wanted. Mother and father and academics additionally sponsor the crops in every Anganwadi.
Apart from planting bushes, Kannan works a variety of each day wage jobs, together with tree climbing and farming. He additionally manages the eco store arrange by the Karshika Karma Sena on a part-time foundation.
“I used to be somewhat embarrassed at first to plant in public locations. However this quickly turned to delight. After I was in class, atmosphere day and sevana vaaram on Gandhi Jayanti have been my favorite events. What began as a as soon as in a 12 months factor has now was a routine for me.”
“On a regular basis, not less than one particular person asks me why I do that. My reply is — for happiness. When everyone resides for themselves, I believe not less than some ought to take into consideration the atmosphere and protect it for future generations. After I started these actions 25 years in the past, I managed every little thing myself. Now I’ve a workforce of eight. Let this be a starting. I hope the children in these Anganwadis will prepared the ground very quickly,” says Kannan.
For his providers and contributions to nature, Kannan was offered the twenty fifth P V Thampy Memorial Endowment Award for Atmosphere Safety in November 2022. “The award was actually sudden. Additionally it is a increase to proceed the actions until my final breath,” he says.
Kannan’s future plan is to affiliate with extra colleges together with decrease major, higher major and highschool. He additionally hopes that extra folks would be part of him within the mission to construct a greener world.
Edited by Divya Sethu; Photograph credit: C C Kannan
