Telangana: Teacher takes initiative to save tree in school

HYDERABAD: At a time when trees are being cut mindlessly, a government school teacher from Nagarkurnool  has showed that a little determination can go a long way. Ms Yashoda, who teaches social science at a government girls school, had been attempting to save a 20-year-old ‘jungli jalebi’ (Pithecellobium dulce, monkeypod in English and Seema Chintakaya in Telugu) tree that had got uprooted months ago.

She tried to revive it and was successful to an extent. However, its loosened roots prompted the school officials to take a decision to axe it. The school campus has only eucalyptus and subabul trees which do not provide much shade. The Jungli Jalebi grows up to 15 feet and provides shade. besides, it is drought resistant. Its fruits are tasty and nutritious. “I decided to approach the group from Hyderabad after reading that they saved many trees from getting cut in Hyderabad,” said Ms Yashoda.

The Vata Foundation that had translocated multiple trees in the city took up the challenge. “They had no equipment. I felt touched because she said that nobody believed her that a tree could be saved this way. She convinced me that I could inspire a generation,” said Mr Uday Krishna of Vata Foundation. He said when the team went to the school 130 km from the city, the situation appeared difficult and the approach to the tree was not easy. With only a JCB they managed to fix it firmly in the soil with supporting bars.

“The best part was that we 300 children witnessed the process and applauded” said Mr Sumesh Thoutireddy, a volunteer. “Once the tree was back up, we could educate an entire district that all trees don’t have to always meet the same fate,” said Ms Jyoti Konda, a member of the group. Though the tree is not a rare species, the nursery price of a full grown tree is Rs 1.23 lakh.