Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Mysuru :

Thandi Sadak in Haldwani, Uttarakahand, is famous for lush green trees and pleasant breeze.

Here, a man is on a mission  to make the Ring Road as city’s Thandi Sadak.

It started with one Honge tree sapling at Idagh Maidan 16 years ago.

Now for Hyder Ali Khan of Kalyangiri, life’s sole aim is to plant maximum saplings.  Khan has already created green canopy in several schools and public parks by planting nearly 2,500 saplings and is knocking at the doors of the government for help to increase green cover in the city. He plans to plant the saplings of certain selected trees on the  stretch of the Ring Road beginning from the Mysuru-Bengaluru intersection.

In the initial stage, he wants to plant 925 saplings in the one-km stretch. He approached MUDA officials seeking support for his mission.

“A green canopy can be created on the highway which benefits motorists immensely. If I get permission from the government, I intend to plant wild Almond Trees (Kaddabadami) along the one-km stretch of the Ring Road. It takes four years to complete the project. If we can do this, Mysuru will become a role model for other cities and towns in the country,” he said.

“I had worked as fitter for 27 years. One day, when I got exhausted while riding my bike, I sat beneath a roadside tree and felt immensely relaxed and rejuvenated. It was then I decided to plant trees. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than planting trees,” he said.

He planted 313 saplings of Honge tree at the famous Idagh Maidan in the city, thereby creating a green canopy. Today 15,000 people can sit under the shade of the trees at the Maidan.

He has created such green pandals in several schools too.

“The Thandi Sadak of yesteryears had introduced in Mysuru by  Wadiyars; a portion of which can still be seen inside zoo. We can convert the entire city into a green canopy and make the district more tourist-friendly, if we plant more trees,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by K. Rathna / February 26th, 2016