Roadside tree-planter in Mysore
Mr Gurukar was at work on the roadside near MUDA Circle on JLB Road when I met him. He carries with him the digging kit – shovel and things – and also a couple of plastic pots for watering the saplings. Mr Srinivas offered to find a sponsor who could equip Mr Gurukar with a tricycle that has a cargo hold.
Honge is Mr Gurukar’s favoured sapling for roadside planting because “cattle eat away other saplings”. He gets a honge sapling for Rs.20 that Mr Gurukar spends from his monthly pension of Rs.10,000. On an average it takes him two days to plant a sapling. Mr Gurukar often slogs it out on his own, without waiting for or seeking anyone’ help – ‘occasionally, I get one or two passers-by coming up to help’. Mr Gurukar can be an inspiration for neighbourhood green groups. Parents could encourage their children during vacation time to join Mr Gurukar in roadside tree-planting. Schools could invite him to address their students. His address: Mr K R Gurukar, C H 61, V Main Rd., III Cross, Saraswathipuram, Mysore 570009
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