Devoting part of life, land to environment

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 22

While gardening has emerged as the most sustainable hobby amid the lockdown, Dalbir Singh Mahal (62), a resident of Urban Estate Phase-2, has been gardening for the past 25 years.

A lush green garden at his home indicates that he is an ardent nature lover. Apart from various medicinal plants, including giloy, tulsi, aloe vera, insulin and satawar, Mahal has planted different varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Mahal said when he purchased the house in 1994, he had in his mind to devote a particular part of his land to mother nature.

Besides planting trees in his house, he also increased the green cover in the park outside his home. Mahal, who works with the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission, has a sprawling green cover outside his house.

His garden has seasonal fruit trees, including, mango, grapes, peach, litchi, oranges, blood orange (malta), kinnow, meeta fruit (citrus limmitiodes, which fights fever) and grape fruit.

In addition, he has a dedicated space for seasonal vegetables in his garden. Brinjal, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, green vegetables, lemon, chillies, pumpkin and daikon radish, among others, are plucked fresh for cooking.

He said we hardly purchase chemical-produced veggies from the market. “Maintaining a garden takes a fair amount of effort and attention to detail. Two things that allow nature lovers to feel mentally engaged in the activity. As gardening increases mental serenity, it promotes stimulation and helps maintain cognitive functions. And, no wonder being surrounded by lush green trees is always a healthy retreat,” he said.

“My garden is also home to numerous birds. It feels good when we get to hear birds chirping every day at our house. It’s been over 25 years, since I am cultivating my hobby of gardening. If I get busy, I have gardeners to take care of my plants. Impressed over my love for nature, my friends and relatives gift me just saplings and I, too, gift them saplings in return,” said Mahal.

Recently, he bought some imported pots, soil and seeds. For growth of plants, he uses organic manure, including kitchen waste and cow dung.