Tree Plantation Drive at Behala

Plantation Drive at Shakuntala Park, Behala

Throughout the monsoon, the Gachher Katha community organizes tree plantation drives across different parts of West Bengal. For the past several years I have been actively associated with Gachher Katha, participating in tree plantation initiatives across Kolkata and its surrounding regions. Today, our destination was Shakuntala Park in Behala, where another successful plantation program was carried out.

🌳 Tree Species Planted

A diverse mix of native, fruit-bearing, ornamental, and shade-giving trees was planted, including:

• Shami (Indian Mesquite) – A hardy tree known for thriving in dry conditions and providing valuable shade.
• Arjun (White Murdah) – A large riverside tree with a broad crown and distinctive pale bark
• Mahogany – A tall hardwood tree valued for its strong, durable timber.
• Teak (Flame of the Forest) – A large deciduous tree prized for its strong and highly durable wood.
• Neem – A hardy tree valued for its aromatic leaves and medicinal uses.
• Bakul (Spanish Cherry) – An evergreen tree known for its glossy leaves and wonderfully fragrant flowers.
• Bottlebrush – A flowering tree recognised for its striking brush-like clusters of colourful flowers.
• Bakul (Spanish Cherry) – An evergreen tree known for its small, fragrant flowers.
• Kanchan (Orchid Tree) – A graceful flowering tree admired for its delicate, orchid-like blossoms.
• Himsagar Mango – A popular mango variety known for its sweet, juicy and aromatic fruit.
• Gulmohar – A spectacular tree known for its brilliant red-orange flowers and spreading canopy.

Beyond the plantation itself, the day was made special by the company of like-minded people who share a common passion for nature conservation. Working together, planting saplings, and spending time outdoors made for an immensely rewarding experience.

With the monsoon providing ideal growing conditions, we are hopeful that the saplings will establish themselves well. Protective fencing has also been installed around the plantation sites to safeguard the young trees from grazing cattle and accidental damage, giving them the best possible chance to grow into healthy, mature trees.

Our dream is to make our cities greener. In a city where tree cover is limited and pollution continues to rise, every tree plays a vital role in providing cleaner air, lowering temperatures, and supporting urban biodiversity. We encourage everyone to plant more trees during the final days of the monsoon and, more importantly, to nurture them until they mature.

🌍 "One tree stands alone, but sustains a world."

We are grateful to Gachher Katha and all the volunteers who made this drive a success. Together, we can make our planet greener, one sapling at a time.

🌱 One more tree planted, and many more to go.