Retired Army officer plants 50,000 saplings after cyclone hits Odisha

A retired army officer from Odisha has planted 50,000 saplings of palm trees over an area of 5 km with a hope that this will stand against cyclones. He collects palm seeds himself and planting saplings wherever there is soil erosion due to sea waves.

Puri: Krushna Chandra Biswal, a retired army officer from Gundalaba village has planted around 50,000 saplings of palm trees over an area of 5 km in the coastal areas of Astarang to safeguard the villages located near the coast of Bay of Bengal from cyclones.

He joined the Indian Army in 1982 and retired in 2004.

"I have been doing this for 13-14 years to protect the village from natural calamities," said Krushna Chandra Biswal.

Krushna said that with the help of local villagers he was able to plant about 50,000 seeds and saplings during the monsoon season in three months along a 5 km stretch. He collects palm seeds himself and planting saplings wherever there is erosion due to sea waves.

"Many local villagers got motivated from his work and joined hands in this tree plantation programme. He (Krushna) is getting appreciation from everywhere. We the people of Odisha feel very proud of him. We will plant 50 lakh saplings under his leadership in other districts as well," said Soumya Ranjan Biswal, a local wildlife activist.

After fighting for the country, Krushna has dedicated his life to environmental protection.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also appreciated Krushna's efforts. He was referred as eco-warrior by the Chief Minister.

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