How A 70-Year-Old Man Grew A Forest In A Rajasthani Desert

Most of the world imagines India to be a verdurous jungle, teeming with flora and fauna fit for an epic adventure. It may disappoint some to know that while there are patches that live up to this expectation India doesn’t usually fit this template at all. A vast and diverse country, it boasts of everything from metropolitan cities to snow-capped mountains and even a desert or two. But thanks to the hard work of Ranaram Bishnoi, a certain patch of desert in Rajasthan is now a forest teeming with life.

In Ekalkhori, a village about 100 kms from Jodhpur, Ranaram began his quest for greenery. Thanks to the unstoppable march of global warming, the desert was expanding and threatening to encroach on Ekalkhori farmland. Though he was already in his 70’s Ranaram began to singlehandedly plant trees to slow the erosion.

He picked indigenous species like neem, rohida, kankeri, khejri, fig, bougainvillea and babool to fill the area and each sapling was planted and cared for individually. He draws and carries water from the well on his shoulders to sustain them and has surrounded the younger plants with dried thorn bushes to dissuade animals but he believes that it it humans who pose the greatest threat.

Ranaram’s ancestry lies with the Bishnoi community the forbearers​ of the Chipko movement​ who are well known for their activism in favour of afforestation. His simple dedication and tireless efforts have today grown a forest of 27,000 trees. He is truly an inspiration for anyone wondering where to begin their journey and for those who believe age can hamper your passion.