Berhampur: Once considered lifeless and barren, Landa Hill near Ramachandra Palli is now lush with greenery, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Aryabhatta Environment and Nature Foundation. This remarkable transformation features thousands of trees in place of the previously dry soil that resisted life, showcasing the success of persistence and ecological vision. Over the past eight years, the Foundation has undertaken projects on 21 such barren hills in Ganjam. On Wednesday, the Foundation celebrated its afforestation achievements at the picturesque Landa Hill near Rangamatia, marking the start of its mission to convert barren hills into green landscapes.
Following the monsoon season, a year-long plantation initiative was launched in Ganjam, culminating in the ecological revival of the area that began on June 11. Prior to 2017, Landa Hill was a desolate area with only a few wild date palms. The soil was degraded, and experts once suggested that tree planting would be pointless. However, the Foundation remained resolute in its mission to rehabilitate the land through dedicated greening efforts. Today, the hill is home to countless trees, various wildlife species, and a rich biodiversity that has revitalized the once-arid terrain. This year, two lakh seed balls containing nearly 10 lakh seeds and 200 saplings were planted across 20 previously restored hills and one new site.
Each seed ball contained about five seeds, specifically chosen based on the soil, micro-climate, and ecological characteristics of the region. The Foundation employs a multi-tiered approach: saplings are planted in accessible areas, seeds are sown manually on mid-slopes, and seed balls are dispersed in steep or hard-to-reach areas. Approximately 70 to 80 species were utilized, including tamarind, mango, jackfruit, neem, teak, sal, khesari, karanja, mahogany, bamboo, acacia, peepal, banyan, harida, bahada, raktachandan, krushnachuda, and kadamba, creating a diverse and sustainable forest ecosystem. Volunteers from the Foundation were joined by local residents, school and college students, and youth from IITs, NITs, and medical colleges, all united by their passion for nature.
What was once regarded as a wasteland has now transformed into a vibrant forest filled with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves. This stands as a shining example of how vision, patience, and human determination can rejuvenate the essence of nature.
