Crusader turns concrete jungle to lush lung space

Karimnagar: “Conserving the natural balance is my mission. My efforts started yielding good results. Whenever temperatures soar high during summer, we have one degree less here,” said Ontela Satyanarayana Reddy.

“People in our locality face fewer health issues due to lush green environs and we have a fresh oxygen encompassing our locality, which is due to growing trees,” he added.

The 50th division in Karimnagar is very different from other divisions. One may wonder that it is a park rather than a residential area. A green atmosphere amid hustle and bustle city life is a creation of one man, Ontela Satyanarayana Reddy. This is a result of his relentless efforts for 10 years.

He found his love with trees a decade ago. He started planting saplings whenever possible. He believed that green surroundings would bring tranquillity in the locality. He influenced and persuaded the residents to take up the task. Flower and fruit-bearing trees were extensively planted.

They have been using vermin compost to protect their trees. Purnachandar Reddy, a resident of the colony, said trees are found everywhere in the locality. “With the inspiration by Ontela Satyanarayana Reddy we have been planting saplings and ensuring their survival.” He said the saplings/trees have been shifted to other areas during laying of a CC road or taking up of a development work to save them.

Residents of colonies in the division provided tree guards and watered daily with help of NSS and NCC cadets. Ontela Satyanarayana Reddy has been consulting local residents to pick up the saplings based on their choice.

His passion for growing trees reflects in the entire division. His efforts and service earned him fame in the district. Ontela Satyanarayana Reddy’s selfless work for the conservation of nature bagged the Haritha Mitra Award on August 15 this year.

The award was given by the State government along with a cash incentive of Rs 5 lakh. He was able to save 5,000 saplings in the last decade. The efforts yielded results and the resident felt happy.

The residents said that even harsh summer is also not troubling the residents any more. The surroundings look beautiful during rainy and winter seasons. People are heaping praises upon Ontela Satyanarayana Reddy for his great service. They appreciated his work of not just planting, but also protecting them.

Residents are now feeling the results of their efforts. They say that even harsh summer is also not bothering them any more. The surroundings look beautiful during rainy and winter seasons. People are heaping praises upon Ontela Satyanarayana Reddy for his great service.

They appreciated his work of not just planting, but also protecting them. He should be taken as role model; the green activists felt.