If Dashrath Manjhi was the Mountain Man, his disciple Satyendra Manjhi is Gaya’s very own green guru.

Over 10 years, 30-year-old Satyendra has dedicated his life to plantation, protecting the environment and checking soil erosion on the banks of Falgu at Imaliyachak village in Gaya’s Belaganj block. His plantation drive on 10 acres of government-owned land in the village, around 25km north of Gaya and about 85km south of Patna, has borne fruit.

He has planted more than 2,000 saplings of guava, blackberry, jackfruit, papaya, lemon and other seasonal vegetables. Satyendra, who is pursuing his postgraduation in Hindi from the Magadh University, said he prepares the saplings in a nursery at his village. His initiative has also inspired other villagers to plant on the barren land in and around the village.

He said: “I was inspired by the Mountain Man of Gaya, Dashrath Manjhi. Once he had visited our village around 10 years back and said the barren land along the Falgu river was good for plantation. I was motivated by that and started to plant trees and vegetables on around 10 acres.”

Satyendra has named the orchard he works at Baba Dashrath Manjhi Udyan.

Dasrath had worked alone for 22 years to cut through the Gehlour hills in Gaya district. He shortened the distance between Atri and Wazirganj blocks from 75km to just 1km. Manjhi passed away on August 17, 2007.

Divisional forest officer, Gaya, Alok Kumar said the department will provide all possible help to Satyendra’s green drive.