City Kemp News
Treesforfree.org reached another milestone on Saturday with the planting of 75 tree saplings on Sarjapur Road as it crossed the mark of 50,000 saplings planted since the year of its inception in 2005.
This organisation’s aim is to pass on the Earth to the next generation at least in the same state we found.
This green drive initiative of treesforfree.org is jointly supported by Koramangala 3rd Block Residents’ Welfare Association and the Rotary Koramangala. Janet Yegneswaran from treesforfree.org, John Satish, President of Rotary Club of Koramangala. Anil Chinniah, former General Secretary of Koramangala 3rd Block Residents’ Welfare Association, Santosh from Empowering Social Impact (ESI) of Bangalore Hikers Uma Pai, President of Inner Wheel Club of Koramangala and others led the green drive on Sarjapur Road.
As many as 22 volunteers from Empowering Social Impact (ESI) of Bangalore Hikers, volunteers from Intel and volunteers from treesforfree.org along with Koramangala 3rd Block residents and members of Rotary Club of Koramangala took part in this green initiative. Later tree guards were installed to protect the saplings. Anil Chinniah volunteered to water the plants with a bucket full of water taking from the nearby houses on the Service Road. There were little volunteers to mention Abhay Sagar and another boy Mamatha’s son.
Treesforfree is now 10 years old. Janet Yegneswaran began with this novel idea by planting a tree sapling in front of her house in Ejipura, in memory of her husband –Yegneswaran. As days passed she went on knocking at doors in and around Koramangala to see whether the residents liked to grow trees in front of their houses. Few more saplings were planted in Koramangala 6th Block Annexe and ST Bed. If any resident agreed then she used to bring the right sapling on inspecting the ground and plant it there with the help of volunteers free of cost, provided the resident took care of it and watered it regularly. This idea took to good shape as 25 residents from 6th Block Annexe came forward to take care of the saplings in front of their houses. Next its roots spread to ST Bed with many residents adopting to plant and water saplings near their houses. Here she reached the century mark.
Thereafter, she continued to plant trees whoever called her. Be it a resident or a company from one sapling to hundreds of saplings. The number didn’t matter to her. Only the space and an assurance to take care of the planted saplings till they grow to a certain height was all that was needed. Soon a trust named ‘Rajanet Yegneswaran Charitable Trust’ headed by her and its members — R Sriram, Saroj Sarathy and Ravi Manvi –take to shape. She has tied up with the BBMP also. And today altogether have planted over 50,000 saplings in and around the city.
“We plant trees for free to heal the earth. So if you know any place where a tree can take root and flourish, let us know. We’ll do the rest. Plant trees as a living tribute to your birthday, anniversary or any other day that you want us to. You’re welcome to join as a volunteer or a tree planting member,” says Janet.
Green Drive on Sarjapur Road; 75 Trees Planted
