A day for dear earth
The world we live in is fighting a battle against global warming, pollution, deforestation and climate change. Our forests are being deforested at an alarming rate, which is affecting our ecosystem by triggering climate changes like droughts, floods and extreme temperature in summers.
In this chaos, Torana Inc. and the Sandesh and Smita Gawande Foundation carried out plantation on Forest Department’s Land near Nagpur in Chimnazari, Umred taluka on Saturday, the 10th of August 2019. Whatever we have received from the nature, we’ve received in abundance. Now, the Torana Inc. has attempted to give it back to her. About 3000 fruit-bearing plants were planted, as well as 500 seeds were sown. Steps were also taken to make sure these plants survive and stay protected from cattle grazing. As the rainy season is going on, these plants have a maximum chance of thriving and surviving. The Sandesh and Smita Gawande Foundation, Torana Inc. and the Forest Department of Maharashtra Government had signed an agreement under the ambitious 33 crore tree plantation initiative of Maharashtra government, following which this plantation activity was carried out.
On Saturday morning, all employees of Torana Inc. assembled near the office in IT Park, Nagpur. The plantation activity was led by Ravindra Avathare, a senior employee of Torana Inc. From there, he led the employees to the plantation site, which was about 35 km away from Nagpur. Upon arrival, the employees were guided on a brief tour of the forest. The path to the plantation site went spanning through various parts of the woods. Occasional sounds of different animals were heard throughout the walk. On the way, the employees also saw the water harvesting dam built by the Sandesh and Smita Gawande Foundation.
A post hole digger, which was recently purchased by the Gawande Foundation was present at the site and dug pits for the plantation. All the employees planted the saplings of fruit-bearing plants like Custard Apple(Sitaphal), Indian Gooseberry(Amla), Blackberry(Jamun), Beleric(Behda), Madhuca longifolia (Mahua), Gmelina arborea (Gamhar), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Ficus religiosa (Peepal), Ficus Racemosa(Goolar) into the soil. About 500 seeds of Mango(Aam), Custard Apple(Sitaphal), Jamun were also sown. The saplings were planted at random locations to mimic the forest. To save the plants from cattle grazing, the plantation site was fenced with barbed wire. Bonducella seeds (a thorny hedge plant) were sown along the boundary so that cattle stay away from the site.
After plantation, Sandesh Gawande, the CTO of Torana Inc. gave a speech informing the purpose of the plantation activity and vision of the Gawande Foundation. The plantation activity was called off after a feast.