From waste to wonder: Paonta Sahib forests lead Earth Day revival
In a meaningful celebration of World Earth Day, the Paonta Sahib Forest Division organised a multi-faceted event at the newly eco-restored Gondpur Nature Trail, aimed at spreading awareness on environmental conservation and promoting eco-conscious community participation. The event was spearheaded by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Aishwarya Raj and witnessed active participation from students of local schools, Van Mitras (Forest Volunteers) and forest staff.
Set against the scenic backdrop of dense Sal forests, the Gondpur Nature Trail — once a site burdened by legacy waste — has been transformed over the last six months into a thriving ecological park. Speaking on the occasion, DFO Aishwarya Raj highlighted the Division’s sustained efforts in ecological rejuvenation, noting that 31 tractor loads of legacy garbage were cleared to facilitate the development of the trail. The site now stands as the sixth nature park under the Forest Division, uniquely designed on the theme of a Japanese garden with a strong emphasis on indigenous plant species and native landscaping.
As part of the Earth Day programme, the students were taken on an interactive guided walk along the trail. During the walk, forest officers explained the significance of eco-restoration, biodiversity conservation and the role of forests in climate regulation. The walk aimed to sensitise young minds to the importance of coexisting with nature and inspired them to be proactive stewards of the environment.
The event also featured an environmental quiz competition, where students were divided into groups and quizzed on various topics, including forest ecology, wildlife species, environmental laws, climate change and sustainable living practices. The quiz was designed to both educate and engage the youth, helping them connect academic knowledge with real-world environmental issues.
A key highlight of the event was a pledge-taking ceremony, where students and participants committed themselves to adopting environmentally sustainable habits. These included the reduction of single-use plastic, cleaning of local surroundings and water bodies, protection of forest resources and active participation in biodiversity awareness campaigns. The pledge reinforced the message that even small, consistent actions by individuals can lead to significant positive environmental impacts.
DFO Aishwarya Raj emphasised that this Earth Day event is part of the larger initiative titled “Yamuna Hamari Dharohar”, a flagship programme run by the Division for the past two years. Under this initiative, the Division celebrates key environmental observances such as World Environment Day (June 5), World Elephant Day (August 12), Wildlife Week (October 1-7) and World Mountain Day, among others. The aim is to build a lasting dialogue on conservation, especially among young minds and rural communities, to promote co-existence between humans and nature.
Coinciding with the Earth Day celebrations, the Forest Division also initiated a renewed campaign to mitigate human-elephant conflicts, which have recently intensified in parts of the Paonta Sahib region. With four wild elephants currently moving across the forest-agriculture interface in the Majra and Girinagar ranges, incidents of crop damage and property loss have been reported.
In response, the Division has relaunched its “Elephant Road Show”, a mass awareness campaign that targets each panchayat within the elephant corridor zone. These roadshows aim to educate local farmers and residents on elephant behaviour, safe practices during elephant sightings and precautionary measures to reduce conflict.
DFO Raj also said the matter of crop compensation for damage caused by wild animals has been taken up with concerned authorities. Currently, the compensation process falls under the Revenue and Agriculture Departments, with limited support from the Forest Department. The Division is advocating for a revised and more robust compensation policy, with better financial coverage and quicker disbursal for affected farmers.
To enhance early warning mechanisms, seven additional Anider alert systems are being installed at new conflict hotspots. These systems have shown success in previous deployments by alerting villagers in real-time about elephant movements. Moreover, anti-depredation squads comprising forest guards, Block Officers, and specially trained Gaj Mitras (Elephant Friends) are conducting daily patrols and community interactions.
Information is also being disseminated through “Gaj Ghoshna” WhatsApp groups, which serve as local alert systems within each beat, helping communities stay informed and prepared during elephant movement in their areas.
The dual approach of ecological restoration and wildlife conflict management adopted by the Paonta Sahib Forest Division exemplifies a holistic and participatory model of conservation. By integrating scientific methods with grassroots involvement, the Division under the leadership of DFO Aishwarya Raj continues to build resilient ecosystems while empowering communities to play a central role in protecting their natural heritage.
This year’s Earth Day celebration not only marks a step forward in restoring degraded landscapes but also reiterates the urgent need for collective environmental responsibility — a message that is more relevant today than ever before.
