Sarojini Mohanta: The Woman Who Grew a Forest from Scratch and Became a Legend

Sarojini Mohanta: The Woman Who Grew a Forest from Scratch and Became a Legend. Sarojini Mohanta: The Woman Who Grew a Forest from Scratch and Became a Legend. Sarojini Mohanta from Odisha nurtured each of the saplings in a patch of the Bonai Forest Division as her own. Today, this forestland is named ‘Sarojini Vana’ in her honour.

Odisha is a state in eastern India that is rich in natural resources but also prone to natural calamities and environmental degradation. Mining activities have adversely affected the area and destroyed the natural habitat of many species. To restore the ecological balance, the District Mineral Foundation programme allocated a fund to conduct the process of afforestation as part of routine work.

However, afforestation is not an easy task. It requires dedication, hard work and patience to plant and take care of thousands of saplings on barren land. This is where Sarojini Mohanta, a 42-year-old daily wager woman, comes into the picture. She was hired by Odisha’s Bonai Forest Division to look after a patch of land measuring about 4.7 acres (1.9 hectares) that was dry and denuded two years ago.

Sarojini's Passion for Trees

Sarojini Mohanta lives near Ulsurei village in Sundargarh district, Western Odisha. She and her husband are engaged in cultivation and earn Rs 315 per day. She was given the opportunity and responsibility of taking care of the plantation site by the forest department.

“Planting trees and taking care of them has been my passion since I was a child. When I was given the opportunity and responsibility of taking care of this site, I gladly accepted it. I am from Ulsurei village, which falls under the Kuliposh Range of the Bonai Forest Division. My husband and I are engaged in cultivation, and the site is 1 km away from my house,” says Sarojini.

She went beyond her duty and did extraordinarily by converting that land into a forest. She actively participated in digging pits for each sapling and filled them up with vermi-compost. She made sure that all saplings were watered regularly and applied soil treatment practices and post-planting operations through vermicompost, DAP fertilisers, urea, etc.

She also guarded the region by standing near the plantation area and driving away any cattle or intruders that could harm the plants. She even used to rush to the forest at midnight if she felt any danger to the plants.

Sarojini Vana: A Green Oasis

Thanks to Sarojini's efforts, over 3,000 fruit-bearing and forest species of trees are blooming on the land in a span of just two years. The plantation site consists of indigenous species like Amla, Mango, Phasi, Guava and Jackfruit, amongst others.

The plants have gained a maximum height of 14 and 15.5’ (feet) in the case of Amla and Sissoo, respectively. The average height of the plants is currently 8’ for Amla, 4’ for Mango, 5’ for Phasi, 8’ for Sissoo, 4.5’ for Guava, and 5’ for Jackfruit.

The plantation site has become a green oasis in the midst of a mining-affected region. It has also attracted many birds and animals that have found a new home in Sarojini Vana.

Recognition and Appreciation

Sarojini's work did not go unnoticed by the forest department. Sanath Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bonai, says, “Sarojini is a very courageous lady. From our very first inspection, we understood the dedication with which she took care of this site. Most residents we engage as plantation watchers treat the task as a joke. In some cases, less than 50% of the saplings planted at the site would grow. In her case, the survival rate was anywhere between 95% and 99%.”

He further says that during the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Sisir Ratho's visit to Bonai for an inspection, he was stunned to see Sarojini's dedication to surviving over 95% of saplings planted on four acres of land. He was so impressed that he suggested naming the plantation area after Sarojini as ‘Sarojini Vana’.

Sarojini's Challenges and Rewards

Sarojini faced many challenges in her mission to create a forest. She had to deal with the harsh weather conditions, the poor quality of the soil, the lack of water sources and the threat of cattle and intruders. She also had to balance her work with her household chores and her family's needs.

However, she did not give up on her passion for trees. She says, “I love trees more than anything else. They give us oxygen, fruits, shade and many other benefits. They also protect us from natural disasters like floods and droughts. I feel happy when I see them growing and thriving.”

Sarojini's efforts have not only transformed the landscape but also earned her recognition and appreciation from the forest department and the local community. She says she feels honoured and proud that the forest has been named after her.

“I never expected such a reward for my work. I am grateful to the forest department for giving me this opportunity and honour. I am also thankful to my husband and family for supporting me in this endeavour. I hope more people will join me in planting and protecting trees,” she says.

Sarojini Mohanta is an inspiration for all of us who care about the environment and want to make a positive difference. She has shown that with dedication, hard work and passion, anyone can create a forest out of barren land. She has also shown that women can play a vital role in conservation and restoration of nature.

Sarojini Vana is not just a forest, but a symbol of hope and resilience. It is a testament to Sarojini's love for trees and her commitment to safeguarding them. It is also a reminder to all of us that we can be changemakers in our own ways and contribute to a greener and healthier planet.