As far as possible, if we create our own small forests with local trees, we will have pure air, cooler climate, rise in ground water level, more rain and the company of birds and colourful butterflies. I did create a mini botanical garden of local plants and flowers of Goa, with the focus on local edible fruit trees and plants including those found on hills and in forests at Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), Porvorim, Goa, as long as i was there from 1996 to 2012. Every plant in the campus was identified with its local name in Konknni, popular English name and botanical name and these names were displayed on a nameplate next to the plant or tree. It attracted botony students from colleges and higher secondary schools, other students and plant lovers. TSKK garden then had over 360 variety of plants and trees. There is greater joy than to eat the fruit from a tree which you planted or to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of a flower from your garden. The attached video is from Punjab, where local people have created their own private forests in small areas. We too can contribute our mite to save our planet not merely through talks and discussions but by our concrete visible actions.
Pratapananda Naik sj
