I offered only a small helping hand and it gave me great satisfaction - Kotturpuram Tree Park

On 18th December 2016, after about a week of the devastating cyclone affected Chennai, I saw a watsupp message around 11.30 am. The message called for volunteers to help people clear out public spaces of different localities in Chennai. I though it was about to happen sometime next week. It was not so. The call for volunteers was for the same day, that is 18th December. Different locations required many volunteers to help out with different types of work to be done. At first thought i thought i should go. Later i felt i don't know anybody, wont it be odd. Still i made up my mind to go and see and help in what ever way i can. It proved fruitful and gave highest level of satisfaction at the end of the day. Last year after the floods also i had ventured out into flood waters to drop some relief materials etc., but that was with people i know, but this time i did not know anyone.

Team of volunteers and me with a quick selfie

There were different things happening in different public places mostly parks in different time slots. I selected Kotturpuram tree park as time slot suited me. it was between 3.00 pm and 6.00 pm. I reached there on time and was welcomed by a lady (dont know her name - I think it was Mrs. Latha - not sure, sorry about it). She asked me to fill in basic details in a note and directed me to Mr. Prabu (who has been regularly involved in maintaining the place as i understood). Then it all started. In a matter of around ten minutes many people gathered and our first job was to make upright a tree which was slanting. Around ten young guys who had gathered, step by step lifted the tree to stand tall again. We tied it to different stronger objects near by, so that it continues to stand straight and grow. Then the next tree. We put together around ten trees upright. It was a team effort and i would like to appreciate both the organizers and all volunteers.

A tree restored to its original position

Usually when you look into volunteerism of this kind, you expect young and middle age people to take part, as it is considered to be tiring physically. It was quite surprising to see people of different age groups and from both genders equally participating in the initiative. Even old age people volunteered to do their bit for the cause. There were also a number of children involved. There was work for every individual (from cutting trees, to straightening, to clearing the fallen leaves, applying fungicides etc.,) Till then i did not know who was the actual organizer of this drive. Later in the day i came to know that it was an organization which goes by the name Nizhal - Friends of trees (http://www.nizhaltn.org/aboutus.html). They have been caring about the trees and in the process doing lots of work towards planting trees and conserving the biodiversity. I had heard about this organization but on seeing the people working on ground, personally felt that they are actually doing work and not like many other organizations and NGO's who are on paper but do nothing on ground.

While the work was on i could spot a deer entering the park. On the whole it was a very satisfying experience. In the night i could get very good sleep because of two reasons. One being the tiredness of days hard work and other being great satisfaction in helping out for a noble cause. I hope i could contribute more towards noble initiatives.

The surprise visitor - A deer

Participating in these kinds of initiatives may have some surprises. For me spotting the deer was one. I could see a nest, which had fallen. This then made me realize the loss to our birds as their habitat that is the trees are gone. One more surprise for me was the view of the boat club from the opposite side which i had never seen before.

Birds Nest

Building across the river seen from Kotturpuram Park

We need to plant trees in great numbers. It is of greatest importance in Chennai after the effects of Cyclone Vardah. People are already saying temperatures are going to raise at least by a degree or so. Where ever possible and whenever possible please do plant trees. I think these planting of trees should be taken care of in every part of our country... why only country, it can has to be done throughout our planet. Hope that we all are friendly to nature to expect its friendship.

Thank you for reading.....

Muzakkir G. M. Bijli

Architect