This environmentalist goes beyond just growing trees

Manmeet Singh Gill

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 26

An environmentalist in true sense, Brig Parkash Singh Bhatti (retd) surely does have a green thumb as is evident from lakhs of saplings his organisation has planted in the state. Bhatti, who runs an organisation named ‘Khudai Khidmatgar’ is busy these days getting a nursery of plant saplings prepared to be used in next plantation season besides taking care of the grown up trees.

Bhatti not only gets these saplings planted but also takes due care that these survive and branch out to their fuller self. Apart from getting the nursery prepared, Bhatti these days is also busy getting the bases of tree trunks painted with a white solution. While most people who have often seen the tree trunks painted in white and mistake it to be a simple lime solution, Bhatti reveals, “It actually is a solution of lime, Neela Thotha (copper sulphate) and salt. It is anti-fungal and helps against pests.”

Bhatti reveals that during the onset of cold season, many pests find shelter in cavities in the bark of trees. Besides, fungus also grows in these cavities after the rainy season. The coating of tree trunks helps in guarding these trees against the damage caused by fungus and pests. “We would be able to cover at least 80,000 during the season. It is very important.” he said.

The noted environmentalist has been behind creating green covers alongside many highways and roads in entire state. As Bhatti manages most of the expenses from his own resources besides help from a very close circle of friends and families, he feels that government is not doing enough.

At his nurseries, where lakhs of plant samplings are prepared every year, Bhatti uses empty milk pouches instead of fresh plastic bags. Bhatti also prefers native species instead of the exotic varieties, which are more conducive to the local weather conditions.