CYCLING FOR A "GREENER BAHRAIN AND A GREENER EARTH"

BAHRAIN: Go Cycling in Bahrain, an event in support of  “One Tree by One Person” is scheduled to take place on the 30^th of November, the distance covered would be from Mahooz to Zinj.  Asfia Banu, the charming and enthusiastic Regional Head of One Tree by One person for the Middle East is very happy with the support that is being generated for the Movement in Bahrain. “People of all the age groups are registering for the cycling event. There are people of different nationalities living in Bahrain; they are showing a lot of enthusiasm for the cause.” Asfia said.

Asfia Banu, Regional Head of One Tree by One Person for the Middle East

Born in the garden city of Bangalore, Asfia has a passion for greenery, she says,” I always had a desire to support a movement that could contribute a little to this planet and its people.  I am overwhelmed to be a part of One Tree by One Person, introduced by the Indian environmentalist, US Moinuddin.”   Asfia Banu further adds, “I have built tremendous love in my heart towards this beautiful Island, my home from the last 16 years.  With an aim to make it more beautiful, surrounded with stunning greenery, I strongly support the idea of One Tree by One Person. I sincerely admire US Moinuddin’s prolific work for making a better and greener world. His dedication and craze towards making the environment safer and greener for us and the future generations to come is significantly encouraging many of us to support him in this remarkable journey. I am hopeful and confident that we can spread the word among the community by pedaling in Bahrain.  Further, we intend to plant a sapling each and encourage others too to support the cause.”

With strong followings in Bangladesh, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the Middle East One tree by One Person is all geared to make the Earth greener.

THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A RALLY IN SUPPORT OF "ONE TREE BY ONE PERSON"

                                         

A RALLY IN SUPPORT OF ONE TREE BY ONE PERSON

Bangalore: Thousands of students from many schools and colleges participated in a rally on World Environment Day, June-5 in support of “One Tree by One Person.” A rally which began from the Magnifique English School campus in Minhajnagar covered Kumaraswamy Layout and its adjacent areas.

Students and supports of the movement met people on the roads and distributed thousands of pamphlets, requested them to support the movement.

Founder of One Tree by One Person US Moinuddin said in his speech, “One Tree by One person is a realistic, easy, and a simple concept which can make our earth greener. The population of the Earth is 7.2 Billion. If each and every person across the earth begins to plant a sapling we shall have over 7.2 Billion trees in addition to the trees that already exist.”

The director of an art and cultural centre, K.V. Subbanna Aaptha Rangamandira, B.R. Gopinath, who had participated in the rally said, “This is a fantastic movement, it is continuing to attract large number of people in many countries. We are part of the environment and everybody should actively support this movement.”

COLLEGE STUDENTS DURING THE RALLY

Dr. Asfiya Anvari former president of Lions Club, Thaquiya Yasmeen Secretary Bibi Fathima Group of Educational Institutions, Kaleemulla Shariff and others were also present in the rally.

AN ENVIRONMENTALIST GOES IN SEARCH OF SAALUMARADA THIMMAKKA

Environmentalist US Moinuddin with Saalumarada Thimmakka outside her residence

Bangalore: The story of a childless lady who decided to plant trees and take care of them as her children has captivated the imagination of  millions of people across the world. Saalumarada Thimmakka, considered as the pride of Karnataka continues to inspire a large number of people who work to save our fragile environment.

To know more about Saalumarada Thimmakka, environmentalist US Moinuddin went in search of her to Hulikal village in Magadi Taluk.   

US Moinuddin with Saalumarada Thimmakka, K. Gopinath, Umesh and Suhas

Locating the celebrated lady in Hulikal village was not a very difficult job. A green colour house with her name painted on the compound wall in Kannada that translates “Smt. Saalumarada Thimmakka, national and state awardee,” caught my eyes. Ahead of her house were huge Banyan trees that she had planted decades ago. Inside the house was Thimmakka seated on the floor. She says she is 101 years old, but looks not more than 87.  The hundreds of trophies which she had received over the years glitter her house. Her answers to the questions which I asked were immediate and precise.

  Many years ago, Thimmakka worked as a labourer in a nearby quarry and her husband Chikkaiah was a cattle herder. Thimmakka said, “We were unable to beget children even after 25 years of marriage. Saddened, we decided to plant Banyan trees on the either side of the road and take care of them as our children.”

  Thus began an enduring journey of courage and passion to contribute to the ecosystem. The hundreds of Banyan trees which they planted for a length of 4 Kms on the either side of the road that leads to their village from Kudoor form a natural canopy providing shade to the travellers. The huge trees also provide food and shelter to many animals and birds. The couple not only planted the saplings but also took care of them by tirelessly carrying pots full of water from the nearby wells and ponds.

   She said, “We used to plant the trees during the rainy season so that the trees are able to get water naturally, they also sustain better in this season. After planting the saplings we also protected them by fencing them with thorny shrubs.”  After a brief pause she continued, “If somebody plucks some leaves from the trees to feed the cattle or cut any branches, I feel pain because I have spent my life taking care of them.”

 In 1991 her husband Chikkaiah died, now she lives in a small house in her village with her adopted son Umesh.

 As the years passed Thimmakka became a household name. Hundreds of articles have appeared about her in many popular newspapers and magazines. There are also stories about her in many school textbooks.  A recipient of hundreds of awards, Thimmakka has been honoured with the prestigious National Citizen’s Award of India for her selfless works in the field of environment. A U.S environmental organization based in Los Angeles and Oakland, California called ‘Thimmakka’s Resources for Environmental Education is named after her.’

Thimmakka said, “The government gifted us a house recently in LIG colony Suryanagar II Phase in Iglur. Beyond that there has been no other help from their side. People honour me and give some money along with some gifts in the functions this takes care of my livelihood.”

Moinuddin said, “When I said to Thimmakka that I will return after a few days, she said that if you come back after a long time I may not live that long.  To which I replied with a big smile, “You have the blessings of the whole nation, you will live for a hundred more years.”

                  Saalumarada means a “row of trees” in Kannada

WONDERLA GREEN AWARDS 2012-13

Environmentalist US Moinuddin at the Wonderla Resort

Bangalore: Environmentalist US Moinuddin, created awareness about 'One Tree by One person' at the recently held Wonderla Green Awards 2012-13 at the Wonderla Resorts. Delegates from dozens of schools had participated in the award ceremony. They interacted with the environmentalist and promised to support the cause. 

DAV SCHOOL STUDENTS CHANT "ONE TREE BY ONE PERSON, FOR A GREENER INDIA AND A GREENER EARTH"

ENVIRONMENTALIST US MOINUDDIN WITH DAV SCHOOL STUDENTS

Bangalore: An environment awareness programme was organized by DAV School, Kaggalipura in support of “One Tree by One Person.”

  Environmentalist US Moinuddin, the Founder of “One Tree by One Person” interacted with the students and teachers of the school and highlighted the various issues that affect the environment because of the carelessness of man. Global warming and the melting of polar ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctic regions that would eventually result in submerging many low lying areas of the Earth were explained.

  “The programme was a refreshing change for the students and teachers, it was educational and entertaining. This event is also a reminder for everybody to seriously think about planting trees to create a safe and beautiful environment,” said Jayashree Prasad the Administrator of the school

 “The toxic gases emitted from vehicles and industries are creating very serious health problems, especially in many major cities across the world.  It is high time that people awaken to these life threatening problems before it becomes too late. Planting trees is an easy solution to clean the air and reduce global warming,” said US Moinuddin

After the talk, the students and teachers planted saplings in the school campus and promised to nurture them.  

GOVERNMENT SCHOOL STUDENTS PROMISE TO SUPPORT "ONE TREE BY ONE PERSON"

Environmentalist US Moinuddin with the students of a government high school

  Bangalore:  Students of a Kannada Medium Government High school near Sarakki Gate had an enjoyable experience interacting with Enivironmentalist US Moinuddin. The students promised to support One Tree by One Person by planting a sapling each. Students were explained about global warming, air pollution and the importance of trees in our ecosystem.