A Day of Commitment: Nurturing the Green Cover at Manbhari Anant
On Sunday, 15 February 2026, we, a dedicated group of thirty-five ‘green saarthis’ came together at Manbhari Anant for a maintenance drive. This event was a crucial step in our ongoing commitment to the 3-year journey of nurturing the plantation we established in this area.
Collective action and determination marked our morning. Armed with gardening tools and a shared vision, we spent three hours tending to the saplings and trees we had planted a few months ago. Our efforts focused on activities such as weeding the bases of the plants and trees, so that they received maximum nutrients.
This maintenance drive is not just a routine task; it embodies our long-term stewardship required for a successful plantation project. It reinforces the understanding that planting a tree is just the beginning, and consistent care is paramount for the saplings to mature into robust, flourishing trees, ultimately contributing to the environmental well-being of the region. The event at Manbhari Anant was a testament to our, the green sarthis’s, dedication to seeing their green vision come to fruition.
Manbhari Anant: How Did We Land Here?
Our work at Madhusudan Vidyapeeth captured the attention of the owners of Manbhari Anant. Impressed by our commitment to sustainable urban forestation, they extended a gracious invitation to the GNGF team.
Their vision was to transform a designated open space within their premises into a thriving green cover. For us, such an engagement with stakeholders represents a golden opportunity to further our mission. We enthusiastically accepted the invitation. Following a thorough site survey, we mobilized our resources.
The Inaugural Plantation Drive: 27 July 2025
Our first engagement at the Manbhari Anant took place on 27 July 2025. This date marked the beginning of our vision. In this inaugural phase, we successfully planted 1651 indigenous saplings. We employed the Miyawaki technique, locally called ‘Kavach Van’ (Protective Forest). This methodology, which involves planting multiple complementary native species at 1.5 meters distance to create a self-sustaining miniature forest.
The timing of this initial planting was strategic. By scheduling the plantation to coincide with the monsoon season, we were able to maximize the benefit of natural rainfall. This reliance on natural water sources, rather than intensive manual irrigation, is key to boosting the initial vigor of the saplings and ensuring significantly higher survival rates, laying a strong foundation for the Kavach Van‘s future.
The First Revisit: Protection and Expansion on 21 September 2025
Two months after the inaugural event, on 21 September 2025, we, the GNGF team, revisited the site to assess the progress. The scene was one of satisfaction and joy. The majority of the saplings had firmly taken root, demonstrating the success of the Miyawaki method and the strategic timing. The young forest was visibly taking shape.
However, a thriving ecosystem encourages all forms of life, and along with the native saplings, the naturally occurring weeds and invasive grass had also taken hold. In line with our comprehensive three-year protection and maintenance plan, a de-weeding operation was initiated. This removal of competitive vegetation is critical to the growth of the saplings.
During this maintenance drive, we also seized the opportunity for expansion. A total of 151 more saplings were planted in available spaces, enhancing the area’s density and biodiversity. This second planting reinforced the Kavach Van‘s trajectory.
Today
This third maintenance engagement was another key moment in executing our sustained protection plan. The primary focus remained on meticulous removal of unwanted weeds and grass. The dedication of the GNGF team ensured the health and safety of the existing 1802 saplings (1651 + 151).
Furthermore, we found scope to make a final, focused addition to the forest. We were successfully able to accommodate 25 more saplings within the available area, bringing the total count close to 1827.
The collective sense of accomplishment and the visible transformation of the area filled the entire team with immense delight, affirming the power of sustained effort in urban ecological regeneration.
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