Everyone knows Rajamouli is a nature lover. However, his gesture towards environment came to light when he recently adopted 20 peepal trees in Hyderabad. Apparently, as part of the road expansion plan at Shamshabad, several trees were supposed to be chopped. A volunteer of Vata Foundation alerted one of its founders Uday Krishna Peddireddi. He, in turn, asked Rajamouli (based on their earlier association) if he can adopt a few trees.
Rajamouli was quick to respond. He immediately asked them to shift the trees to his farm house. While Joginipally Santosh Kumar helped with digging and other logistics, Rajamouli took care of the transport and translocated the peepal trees to his farm house at Kattangur (Nalgonda).
“When I asked Rajamouli garu whether he can adopt these trees, he immediately agreed. He adopted around 20 peepal trees,” says Uday. He further reveals that earlier in May, Rajamouli had adopted and translocated three Banyan trees which were about to be chopped off as a part of a road expansion plan at Nalgonda.
“That’s when Rajamouli told me that he’s game to adopt the trees. So when this incident at Shamshabad happened he was the first name that came to my mind,” adds Uday.
Uday adds that someone like Rajamouli adopting trees and being an environmental crusader means a lot to them. “It motivates us to further push ourselves. It’s a big thing that someone of his calibre is game to do his bit for the environment,” says Uday, describing Rajamouli as a ‘nature lover.’
Apparently, Rajamouli had his own horticulture team that took care of the translocated trees in May. And Rajamouli was there all the 3 days, to oversee the work.
“As a filmmaker, he’s very curious to know the whole process; how trees are cut and transported. He wants to learn everything. He found the concept of translocation very interesting,” says Uday.
Sharing his happiness, J. Santosh Kumar, tweeted, “Green India Challenge is not just about planting saplings, but also helping trees impacted by various factors relocate to safer havens.”
