Magic Socks Project- A free mass plantation for social forestation
Magic Socks Project
We all in some way or the other are aware of the impact of climate change happening around us. We are experiencing shift in temperatures and weather. The main cause for this being man made activities like burning of fossil fuels which result in greenhouse gas emissions which gives rise to increase in temperatures.
One of the many reason we are seeing an increase in these greenhouse gas emissions is due to clearing of land, deforestation and reduction of green cover.
There is no denying that humans are responsible for climate change and rising temperatures.
Did you know the average temperature of the Earth's surface is now 1.1 degree Celsius warmer than it was in late 1800s? (Source)
We as a human race have realised the increasing dangers of climate change and as individuals, companies, governments, NGO's, we now together are trying to fight the adverse effects of climate change. Below are examples of some brands trying to make things right and focus on sustainability.
5 brands planting trees based on your digital actions
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We all have a collective responsibility towards the damage we have caused and need to take action. And one such brilliant example is from a 15 year old, Bodhisatva Khanderao from Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India.
How did it start?
Bodhisatva experienced a lot of forest fire and witnessed forest cover depleting and tress being cut down from when he was 6 years old. The region from where Bodhistava hails is Yavatmal in Maharashtra which over the years has seen increasing cases of farmers committing suicide due to constant draughts & unable to return the loans incurred. The draughts being the direct impact of decreasing forest cover, Bhodisatva realised the magnitude of this challenge and wanted to do something for the poor farmers of this region.
Bodhisatva saw the problem and wanted to find solutions.
He accompanied his mother on her seed collection activities from nearby household, but he added his own unique idea to further help him achieve his dream of planting more trees. And that's how Magic Socks project was introduced.
What is the Magic Socks project?
This brilliant project involved the following items:
- Old socks
- Dry soil
- Seeds
- Compost
He started of this project as a science project and then went on to distribute these magic socks to his friends at school and asked them to join him too. His aim was to develop areas with more native trees and medicinal plants.
He now collaborates and works with various NGO's to spread the information about this project to increase green cover and preserve trees. He has been working on various social initiatives projects since 2013 which focus on upliftment of famers and women.
- 2020 International Young Eco Hero Award for invention and implementation of innovative mass plantation methods by Action for Nature - California US
- Eco Hero of the Week Award by Action for Nature California US, for inventing and implementing cost-free mass plantation methods.
- Record for being THE YOUNGEST ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST by India Book of Records
- "Our Environment Our Responsibility" Felicitated by St. Xavier's College Kolkata.
- Felicitated by Unicef and Hindu Business Line on World Environment Day
- Youth Live Wire Award for innovative mass plantation methods by iCubo Kolkata
And finally we will end this blog from the response Bodhisatva's mother gave him, when he asked her what would happen if all the forest in the world vanished and her response to her young curious son was as below:
"We cannot stop people from cutting down trees, but we can plant more trees"
Sources:
https://romumbai.kvs.gov.in/sites/default/files/Bodhisatva%20Khanderao%20IX%20KV%20Ytml.pdf
https://yourstory.com/socialstory/2023/04/young-changemakers-climate-environment-national-geographic
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