Doon’s forest of many memories

Rakesh Agrawal, Dehradun

A Remembrance Forest or Smriti Van is emerging on a three-acre patch on the outskirts of dusty Dehradun. It is likely to become the densest forest near the city. From 250 trees in 2020, this young forest now has over 6,000 trees, including 2,000 fruit-bearing ones. People have been steadily arriving here to plant a sapling in memory of a near and dear one who has passed away.

Located in Maldevata, around 15 km from Dehradun, the Smriti Van is close to a free-flowing  canal. Dhad, a voluntary organization which promotes the culture and heritage of Uttarakhand, came up with this idea.

“The city has lost 75 percent of its greenery. And our mandate is to protect our jal, jangal, jameen (water, forests and land). We spoke to the government on starting a Remembrance Forest and they agreed. The forest was inaugurated on Harela, Uttarakhand’s folk festival, day in July 2020 by the then chief minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat,” says Tamany Mamgain, general secretary of Dhad.

Planting saplings has become a routine affair. Every year on Earth Day, Environment Day and Harela, saplings are planted with much fanfare by politicians and celebrities only to be forgotten. Sometimes, the young plants shrivel up and die.

“We realized that for plant survival it was crucial to involve people. And that could be achieved by involving them emotionally. So, we started this urban forest, where people can  plant saplings in memory of their deceased ancestor or friend,” says Neena Rawat, secretary of Dhad.

An iron protector is placed around the young sapling to protect it and a placard naming the deceased person is hung on it. This has prompted people to come here and plant saplings. But more than just raising a plantation, it was important to get people to take care of the plants so that they could survive. So, whoever wants to plant a sapling must contribute `100 per month or `1,200 per year for its upkeep.

“It’s a small amount to pay. I have planted hundreds of saplings elsewhere too. But it is here that we come every Sunday since we are emotionally attached to our saplings. It’s my duty,” says Ashutosh Mishra who works with the forest department in Dehradun.

From this amount, a chowkidar, Sanjay Kumar, has been hired. He lives in a two-room set on the premises and keeps an eye on the young plants. “I water them regularly and I save them from wild plants,” he says. “After a year the saplings are strong enough to take care of themselves. They become small sturdy trees that can survive for life.” 

Sanjay Kumar’s daily vigil has resulted in a high survival rate of these plants. “The survival rate of our saplings is about 93 percent today,” affirms Lokesh Navani, director of Dhad.

Vinod Nautiyal and his wife, Preeti, arrived here on a Sunday from Dehradun with their two children to plant saplings in memory of his parents. They were warmly welcomed by Virendra Khanduri, coordinator of Dhad. “Let’s spend a green Sunday,” he remarked.

While Vinod and Preeti chose saplings of sal and Himalayan poplar, the children preferred fruit trees and chose litchi and guava. They picked up shovels, trowels and spades and began digging pits for the plants.

Vinay Anand Baudai, former principal, Shri Guru Ram Rai Degree College, also arrived to do shramdan with a few others. “Every Sunday, I reach here early morning to do digging, weeding and soil bonding so that the earth is ready for the new plants,” he says. 

Since a considerable segment of the population of the state migrates for work, people arrive from different states and countries to plant saplings in memory of their loved ones.

Seventy-year-old Usha Gusain, who lives in Texas, US, came to plant a flowering plant in memory of her husband.

“Many hill people aren’t able to come here themselves. They request us to plant saplings in  memory of their relatives, which we are happy to do,” says Khanduri.

The only downside is the warped legal status of the land. “When Rawat was chief minister he  ordered the district magistrate to find land to create a district forest. He asked the Thano Forest Ranger of the forest department, who identified this land. It was then handed over to us,” says Khanduri. 

He is hopeful that there will not be any change in its status. “Since hundreds of people are now involved with Smriti Van, the government will not destroy it due to social pressure. In any case, they have  lots of land in this area.”

Hopefully this newbie forest will be left alone to thrive, despite the government’s penchant for felling trees to build roads, airports and whatnot.