Social occasions, like weddings, birthdays and house warming ceremonies, are where volunteers of Green Army promote environmentally responsible lifestyle for maximum impact.
The self help group from Gadag, which is active since 2015, encourages those attending these functions to plant saplings and shun the use of plastic items during special occasions.
Mr Jaipal Reddy, secretary of the Green Army, said that the group could not have thought of a better way to encourage people to lead an environmentally friendly life in the most cost-effective manner. "When those dear to the invitees take a vow to follow a green lifestyle, the effect it has is immense. When a sapling is planted or a call is made to avoid plastic, more people who attend these events tend to follow the trend," he said, adding that the idea for the initiative came during a wedding ceremony of a one of their volunteers at Naregal panchayat in Gadag.
Till now, the team has attended over a hundred weddings, 50 birthdays and over 70 housewarming ceremonies.
Members of the Green Army planting saplings as part of their afforestation campaign
But the story behind the inception of the group is heartrending. In early 2015, Mr Chandru Rathod, the founder of the group, lost his mother after foxes attacked her at his hometown in Gajendragad taluk. "Her death shocked the entire community and the tribal families in surrounding areas. His suffering led to the birth of Green Army, whose branches have spread far now," said Mr Reddy. The group is now working in Gadag-Hubballi-Dharwad areas.
The eco-group distributes saplings that suit the local conditions and soil to ensure maximum survival rate. Neem, Indian beech, and badam are the most commonly distributed.
By tying up with local societies, other NGOs and government offices, the group has managed to plant over 19,000 saplings and also monitor their growth.
The 100-strong active team has entrepreneurs, educators, techies and students as its members. Recently, 5,000 saplings were distributed at Naregal Gramadevate Jatrotsava and 2,500 plants at the Annadaneshwar Rathotsava, both religious events.
The volunteers hold special sessions at schools to encourage youngsters to join the Green Army. The students are given a presentation on how environment has degraded from the times of their parents. "These children actively spread the green message among elders and also motivate them to adopt environmentally sustainable methods," explained Mr Reddy, who is also a PU College lecturer.
He said that volunteers clean local wells and ponds regularly and plant saplings around them to stop the overflow and to maintain soil moisture.
The NGO is now busy designing modules for a special subject to be taught in schools to expose students to various species of plants and to also give them a hands-on experience in farming methods.
Interested can contact 9980846151, 8147578055 and write to jaipal.alavandi@gmail.com to help Green Arm initiatives.
