Plantation with US Forest Services - International Programs at Sainik Vihar

ACT FOR AMAZONIA!

• Total Volunteers = 30
• Saplings Planted = 100
• Garbage Collected = 5 KG (approx.)

Without action, the best intentions in the world are nothing more than that: intentions.

- Jordan Belfort

Amazon rainforest has witnessed over 75,000 fires so far in 2019! The most recent one has garnered the most attention globally as the smoke engulfed a couple of cities like a blanket. It was visible in space. The forest contributes to over 20% of the global oxygen supply. So, the situation is extremely worrisome. A lot of people are showing support in various ways. We at We Mean To Clean (WMTC) believe in action. Our plantation drive today at Sainik Vihar was dedicated to Amazonia as our humble attempt.

WMTC’s regular efforts towards our environment have been recognized by the United States Forest Services – International Programs (USFS – IP). Their delegate, Mr. Ashraful Haque, visited our Sainik Vihar site to share his organization’s vision of bringing all similar groups and NGOs on a global platform to facilitate sharing of best practices. The platform would also help entities complement each other in areas of synergies. We also elucidated our raison d'être behind the group and our strategy and operational practices.

He could see how diligently and selflessly our volunteers were working on the field. Our team took help from labourers in removing weed and digging pits for mehendi saplings. We planned to plant them alongside existing amaltas ones to create a hedge. We also had the company of two extremely cute four-year-old girls from the nearby slum area who helped us with whole garbage collection. All by themselves! We collected about 5 KG of garbage.

Our team planted about 100 mehendi saplings. While we do have trees, we must have herbs and shrubs to create a proper ecosystem. Mehendi is a native shrub and is a flowering plant. You must be aware that it’s a source of a dye, also called as henna. Mr. Haque liked this approach quite well. USFS – IP is going to commence the global network with about seven or eight such entities from Delhi in about two months’ time. If all goes well, we could be a part of this global platform.

An otherwise scenario would not be a dampener either. We are happy we have come across zealous individuals who are ready on weekends to devote their time for our environment. Mr. Haque said we could very well be sleeping on a weekend morning but he was delighted with all the working professionals and students to volunteer like this. One of those key volunteers is our biodiversity expert Bhuvan Chopra. He guides us on all our plantation activities. He briefed our new volunteers on the importance of native trees.

We believe we need volunteers everywhere. Someone is working in the Amazon to save the rainforest that acts as lungs for the planet, while some are working elsewhere to succour their local environment.

Let’s act now for our environment. Join us!