Nirakar Mallick

Paradip, Jan. 8: Driven by the zeal to save the village from flood and cyclone, a 52-year-old Dalit man has generated natural buffer by converting a big dump into a virgin forest.

Nirakar Mallick, a native of Aliaha village under Aul block in Kendrapara district, took up the mission of planting trees on the vacant government land on the outskirts of the village. That was in 1992 and now the trees stand tall having grown enough to give the barren land a vibrant lush-green look. The initiative of the green crusader has turned three acres of land, which was earlier a dumping ground for wastes and garbage, into a full-fledged forest.

Mallick, who was a motor pump driver of the Odisha lift irrigation corporation, lost his contractual job on 2001. But his green zeal has hardly diminished.

“My village witnessed recurring flood, cyclone and storm. I had hit upon the idea of planting trees in an unused government land. I began planting about two-dozen mango saplings. I knew that tree would provide the village a natural look. I had faced initial opposition from certain quarters. Some people were of the belief that my intention was to grab the government land. However, support had poured in from various spheres. The local block level officials and forest staff came forward to distribute plants for free. It inspired me carry forward my mission. I have not looked back since then”, Mallick said.

Banamali Sahu, a native of nearby Aul, said: “Nirakar deserves kudos for what he has achieved within a span of 12 to 13 years. He single-handedly raised trees in his native place. It was sheer commitment and love for nature that has led to the realisation of dream.”

“He has set an example for others to tread on. When he started planting, many thought he had gone crazy. Few cooperated with him. But he has proved everybody wrong by hard work and resolve. The forest raised by him has now turned out to a natural protective barrier against storm and deluge. It has also checked soil erosion,” said a local settler Harihar Rout.

“It’s heartening to note that Mallick has successfully undertaken the green mission. It’s an exemplary act towards protecting village environment. The administration would extend all possible help to the man whenever he seeks for,” said Kendrapara collector Niranjan Nayak.