GUWAHATI, Oct 18 – Those who would not believe in the power of a single individual should know Prof Mohan Ch Kalita. An academic of repute and the head of Gauhati University’s Biotechnology Department, his remarkable legacy is silently spreading beyond the classroom. The irony is, not many of the university community know it, and few have come forward to share his dream.
Within little more than a decade he and a few friends have planted several hundred saplings in various parts of the university campus. Not just that, they have carefully nurtured the trees, at times spending their own money.
Today, some of the plants have matured. Birds and animals have found new homes. And they have contributed towards extending the area’s green cover and reducing the carbon footprint.
Speaking to The Assam Tribune, Kalita said, “We talk about climate change, we talk about conserving the environment but when it comes to performing a single act we do absolutely nothing...the work we have done shows that even a few individuals can effect change.”
It was in 1996 that he along with Prof PJ Handique of Gauhati University planted the first saplings. The 72 saplings were fenced off, but in the course of time only about half of them survived.
Three years later, armed with more resolve, Kalita brought in 200 coconut saplings and planted them in different parts of the campus, including spots close to hostels and staff quarters. Aided by his friend Dr Ramani Barman, a serious attempt was made to nurture the plants, as a result of which the majority of them survived. This year, for the first time, some coconuts could be sold, Kalita said with a smile.
The year 2004 was another eventful period for the academic, for in that year more than 800 plants were able to strike roots in the university campus. The ambitious attempt was supported by his friend Prof Abani Bhagawati and by a small grant from the Assam Science Society with which Kalita has been associated for a long time. Contributory donations came in from some colleagues, while the Forest Department provided the saplings free of cost.
Another intervention followed the very next year. “It was a response to some indications that the green cover in the university campus was depleting. Monkeys were becoming a menace, and we understood that their habitat was at risk...Consequently, we planted a large number of fruit trees,” Kalita mentioned.
The Biotechnology Department’s own research farm was chosen for another plantation drive in 2008. Among the new batch were 600 banana plants, 200 Assam lemon saplings, 100 betel nut plants along with coconuts and papaya plants.
This year the silent campaign saw the introduction of 400 plants, “all indigenous fruit trees” in spots near the administrative building, library and hostels. The Assam Science Society again came to support the programme by providing a grant of Rs 5,000.
Acknowledging the encouragement received from Prof OK Medhi, the present Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, Kalita said that Prof Medhi has taken the initiative to create a biodiversity park and resource centre and put him in charge of the project. In this regard he was hopeful of having more involvement of the GU community.
Even though confident in his ability to extend green cover in the university campus, Kalita regrets the lack of enthusiasm of students in adding thrust to his campaign. “It is the future generation who would benefit the most by having more trees, and yet students have not come forward... It is indeed sad,” he added.
