Mother’s pyre inspired him to embark on green drive

Vijaysinh Parmar TNN\Rajkot: One would surely not expect a crematorium to be an inspiring place. That too for someone lighting his mother’s pyre. But, while cremating his mother three years ago, Manoj Boricha, a small-time businessman in the city, was pained thinking about the sheer number of trees that are chopped down for a person’s final rites. Since that day, he embarked on an endless ‘green drive’. A resident of Thorala area, Boricha has made it a mission to plant at least 50 different trees at various locations in the city every year. These days, too, he is finalising a proper place for planting 50 trees before monsoon sets in. “I have identified a space at ‘Smashan Gruh’ (crematorium) in Thorala, where tree plantation is required and is safe’’ Boricha says. Boricha, who has planted over 300 trees, mostly fruit-bearing, near Aji dam and Kalipar, has decided to take care of all the saplings till they are fully grown. “Everybody must plant at least five trees in his life. So that when someone dies, they don’t need to chop down precious trees for their pyres,’’ Boricha adds. “Only plantation is not enough. We have to see whether they are growing properly or not. I arranged vermicompost and water for the plantations. I am happy that out of 300 trees, 250 survived,” Boricha says. Interestingly, his noble initiative has inspired many friends, who have joined him in this drive. “Many people have joined me in this and they help me in whatever I require for this cause. My motto is Rajkot city should become ‘Green City,” he adds.