Global warming is a cause of concern for the world. To reduce the soaring temperature of the environment, the former Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Naugawan Sadat in Amroha district, Uttar Pradesh, Mr Mangeram Chauhan came forward with the idea of ordering the accused to plant five trees for getting bail.
Mr Mangeram is a UPPSC officer (1995 batch) currently posted as Deputy Collector, Bijnor. He was posted as SDM in Naugawan Sadat and Dhanaura sub-divisions of Amroha in 2019-2020.
Taking care of mother nature:
As an SDM of Naugawan Sadat and Dhanaura, Mr Mangeram got planted 20,000 saplings of fruits and shades from the arrested people. Some trees are grown now, providing sheds and fruits to the locals.
Mr Mangeram said that he started the campaign to reduce the temperature of the earth and the anger of the arrested people. “The initiative helps the people, who get arrested under Section 107/116/151 of Criminal Procedure, 1973, are given a positive message through this campaign so that their anger or negativity can go away.”
The initiative involved giving a target of planting five trees to those securing their bail. Even their guarantors were ordered to plant one tree each at their homes, farms or animal shelters. They were also asked to submit in writing the place where they will be planting the tree.
Mr Mangeram also said, “A team from the Revenue Department goes to verify whether the person has planted the trees. Also, those, who do not have a place in their house are assigned a government land to do so.”
Also, the public who comes to the SDM’s office to register complaints about ration, electricity, and water was asked to plant a particular amount of trees after the discussions.
The walls of houses, schools and public buildings were painted in nature’s colours. Slogans were also written on the walls to make people aware of nature. The locals tied the sacred thread around trees to protect them from any harm.
For his idea to plant trees, Mr Mangeram was awarded ‘Tilka Manjhi Samman’ in 2021.
Impact of the initiative:
After being involved in plantations, the mindset of the people changed. They became more positive and more sensitive toward nature. In addition to the accused, society got involved in planting trees. The changes in their behaviour helped to implement better law and order in the region.
