Rotary Club of Ranchi South hosts the “Kalpataru—The Divine Wish Tree” event

Ranchi: Rotary Club of Ranchi South hosted the “Kalpataru—The Divine Wish Tree” event at CRPF Sembo Camp on Friday, marked by a plantation drive, insightful environmental discussions, and the club’s annual installation and felicitation ceremony.

The chief guest, Siddharth Tripathi (IFS), Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jharkhand, raised a serious concern that 65% of Jharkhand’s land is undergoing desertification, the highest in India.

“This is not just a statistic; it is a warning,” he said. “If we don’t act now, future generations will be deprived of clean water, fertile land, and greenery.”

Emphasizing a change in mindset, he added that our ancestors were far more scientific in their approach to nature. “They worshipped rivers as mothers, trees as sacred beings, and the earth as a life-giver. Today, we must revive that traditional ecological wisdom and blend it with modern conservation efforts.”

CRPF as Environmental Warriors —Address by DIG D. N. Lal

D. N. Lal, Deputy Inspector General of CRPF, spoke about CRPF’s ongoing environmental missions across India. He highlighted the force’s engagement with local communities in Bastar (Chhattisgarh) and Odisha, where CRPF personnel have worked alongside villagers and tribals to protect both forests and the lives dependent on them.

“CRPF is not just a force of security but also a protector of nature and life,” he said. He shared inspiring stories of plantation drives, forest preservation, and water conservation efforts led by CRPF jawans with active public participation in remote and conflict-prone zones.

Rathin Bhadra’s Message—Green Revolution Through ‘Farming with Water’

Rathin Bhadra, president of the Rotary Club of Ranchi South Trust and founder of Bhuvanam—Farming with Water (Aqualine Bhungru), emphasized that plantation must not be viewed as a formality but as a commitment to securing our future.

He shared the success of their innovative water harvesting model in Ulihatu, a drought-prone region and the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, where groundwater recharge has been made possible through indigenous techniques.

“Guided by the spirit of ‘Service Above Self,’ we are dedicated to serving water, forest, and land along with society,” he stated.

Felicitation & Installation Ceremony

The event also marked the installation of the new leadership team of the Rotary Club of Ranchi South and the felicitation of distinguished individuals who have made notable contributions in the fields of environment, education, innovation, and public service.

Collective Commitment

All attendees collectively pledged to work to combat desertification in Jharkhand and promote traditional and scientific environmental conservation besides encouraging community participation in preserving water, forests, and land. Other commitments included collaborative efforts between Rotary, CRPF, and government agencies for sustainable ecological change.

“Kalpataru is not just a tree but a living idea of a greener India and a sustainable future. From Sembo to Santhal, Ulihatu to Uttarakhand, every tree we plant reflects our shared responsibility.”