Bishnu Hazra, a resident of Bharaura tea garden in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, is a tea worker by profession. Selling jhalmuri brings in a little extra, but poverty still marks his household. For the past 28 years, however, he has nurtured an unusual dream: a green one. Whenever he gets the chance, he sets off on his bicycle with saplings and tools strapped on the back. Over this long period he has planted more than 1,500 saplings, which have grown into trees.

Bishnu began planting trees in 1997, when he was a ninth-grade student. Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Brikkha" (Tree) lit a different light in his life, its lines showing him the immense benefits of trees. Roadsides, empty fields or corners of the tea garden — wherever he finds a little open space, he plants and tends trees ranging from jam (black plum), banyan and neem to frangipani. He does not hesitate to spend money from his own pocket.

From 2014 to 2018, Bishnu worked as a newspaper hawker. Between rounds he read the papers, and articles on the environment moved him deeply, strengthening his commitment to greenery. He now gives saplings as gifts at birthdays, death anniversaries and weddings, and posts photos and videos on Facebook and elsewhere to encourage others.

For several years the Gram Unnayan Sangstha (GRAUK) has supported his work by buying saplings, which has made his task easier. He speaks out against indiscriminate tree felling, the clearing of forests, unplanned urbanisation, the grabbing and pollution of rivers, and plastic waste. Though an ordinary tea worker, he has carried on planting without a break for 28 years. His struggle is not for money but for future generations; he believes people will survive only if nature is protected, and so he clings to his green dream despite hardship at home.

Recently, Bishnu was seen with several young people beside the temple at Bharaura tea garden, digging holes and planting saplings of jam, neem, banyan and frangipani.

"At that time I earned a little money from private tuition," Bishnu said. "I thought that if I bought saplings and planted them, I could sell the trees when they grew and ease my money troubles a bit. But slowly I realised trees are not just a source of money; they are essential for life. From then on I started planting saplings with my own pocket money."

"Seeing my work, many people are standing by me. Some buy saplings, some help in other ways. But I still spend a large part of my own earnings on planting trees," he said. "There is no alternative to tree planting for protecting the environment. But planting alone is not enough; proper care is also essential."

Maha Hazra, chowkidar of the Bharaura temple, said Bishnu had been planting trees here and there for many years. "Heat, rain or storm, nothing stops him. Thanks to his efforts our village is much greener now, and we are all inspired by his work. Trees protect not only the environment but also our places of worship such as temples and mosques. At Bishnu's initiative we have also planted trees in the temple grounds."

Tea worker Suman Hazra said: "Working in the tea garden, we struggle just to run our households. But Bishnuda is planting trees with his hard-earned money, and that means a lot to us. Because of him, the area around us has become much greener."

Mahadeb Bhuiyan, regional manager of GRAUK, said: "We have watched him for 28 years. At a birth, a death or any occasion, he gives a sapling as a gift. Bishnu Hazra has long been planting trees on his own initiative to protect the environment, and GRAUK has been supplying him saplings regularly. The more people like Bishnu there are in society, the stronger the environment will be."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.