by Gayatri Nair

Independence Day is not just another holiday for software engineer Dheeraj Kumar M. He wants to celebrate it by planting 300 saplings and restore some green cover in Bangalore. On Saturday, Kumar along with volunteers, will plant 100 saplings in Marathalli and another 200 in and around HMT Layout. Kumar said, “Trees are being felled to make roads and other infrastructure. The City has almost lost the Garden City tag. Hence, I want to compensate by planting more saplings.”

This is not the first time he’s planting saplings. On July 11, he planted about 500 saplings in the Vishwa Santhi Ashram in Nelamangala. Kumar added, “There are many benefits of planting saplings. It strengthens the soil and obviously reduces pollution. And what better way to celebrate Independence Day.”

Joining Forces

Saturday’s spot for planting saplings was recommended to Kumar by his colleague Apoorv Jain, who lives in the apartment complex SJR Spencer on Varthur Road, Marathalli.

The place chosen is a small plot of land behind the apartment complex. Planting is taking place from 8 am with the children of families living in the apartments taking part.

“Later when the children will play in the garden they will see the plants and remember to water them,” added Kumar. Residents of the apartments are extremely supportive of this initiative.

All the saplings for Saturday’s planting are provided for free by Isha Foundation, said M Rajesh Kumar, a software engineer who works with it.

Dheeraj has also started a blog www.grow-trees.blogspot.com to create more awareness about planting.