TBI Tribute: Kunwar Damodar Rathore, ‘Green Soldier’ Who Planted 8 Crore Trees in His Lifetime
During his lifetime, Rathore planted about eight crore saplings of over 160 species. He even formed the Himalayan Green Brigade, an organisation whose volunteers planted thousands of trees in Pithoragarh.
91-year-old Kunwar Damodar Rathore, the ‘Green Soldier’ who planted about eight crore saplings during his lifetime, breathed his last in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand on Wednesday.
In his final days, Rathore suffered major respiratory problems but that didn’t stop him from showing concern for his close friends – the saplings.
On his deathbed, his only worry was, “What will happen to the saplings I have planted? Who will take care of them?” reports Times of India.
The locals of Rathore’s village said that he even distributed 4,000 saplings to the children who paid him a visit in the hospital, just three days before his death.
In the 1960s, Rathore embarked on a mission to plant saplings in and around Bhanora, his native village in Didihat tehsil of Uttarakhand. He used to carry a bag which contained a small spade and some saplings.
During his lifetime, Rathore planted about eight crore saplings of over 160 species. He even formed the Himalayan Green Brigade, an organisation whose volunteers planted thousands of trees in Pithoragarh.
In 2000, Rathore was awarded with the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksh Mitra Award for planting one crore saplings. He even planted saplings in the plains of Dehradun, Haridwar and Kashipur.
You can also read: A Software Engineer from Chhattisgarh Is Making Bengaluru Green. With over 35,000 Trees so Far!
“His death is a great loss to the environment. He worked tirelessly for development of biodiversity and its preservation. He distributed lakhs of saplings every year and planted oak seeds on barren lands, which he nurtured for years to come,” said B D Kansiyal, a senior journalist and also Rathore’s close friend in an interview to Times of India.
Today, the plains of Bhanora and Pithoragarh have a lush green cover with different varieties of trees which not only serve as fodder but also retain moisture and prevent landslides. Thanks to the battle against deforestation waged by India’s very own ‘Green Soldier’.
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia).
Similar Story
India’s First Vertical Sea Bridge: 8 Things To Know About the New Pamban Bridge
As India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, the new Pamban Bridge, is set to reach completion by March next year, here’s some facts you should know about this technological marvel, which connect Rameswaram to mainland India.
Read more >
If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.
Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-
By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let's ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.
Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?
This story made me
-
97 -
121 -
89 -
167
Home
Read
Watch
Contribute
