In love with elephants

Welcome to another success story; today, the report comes from India.

Mr. Bijaya Kumar Dash reported having planted 30 trees from several species – Banyan, Pipal, Jamun, Mango, Karanj, Ambeda, and Jackfruit.

Mr. Dash told us a little bit about his story and how he came to be so passionate about Nature.

“When I was in sixth grade, a herd of wild elephants ventured into the paddy field of my village during nighttime. They left their footprints deep on the muddy surface.

Those footprints were stored away in my mind and inspired me to learn more about the gentle giants. I was astonished that such magnificent animals were living in our forests. I became more and more curious about elephants.

As a small child, it was not possible to see them or follow them around in the forest. Gradually, I completed my PG course in History from Utkal University and started Nature trailing, collecting data, and learning more about these creatures.

My curiosity about elephants continued growing and I started talking with forest officials.

Eventually, I became the Honorary Wildlife Warden of Dhenkanal District. I’ve completed three terms in this prestigious position for six years. I’ve done some work for the conservation of elephants – tree planting in forests, building water harvesting structures for wildlife, raising awareness on Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), raising elephants in nurseries, qualifying plant species, addressing threats like electrocution, ditch threats, and train runovers, and building restoration corridors.”

Understandably, Mr. Dash has received awards like the Biju Pattnaik Wildlife Conservation Award (Sub Division Level), the District Youth Award, and the Green Corridor Champion Award.

Thank you so much to Mr. Dash, for all the work he has done and for sharing it with all of us. And a specal thank you from Mr. Dash to Mr. Sumit Kumar Kar (Divisional Forest Officer), Mr. Purushottam Rout (Secretary), the Jaidurga Football Association, Sainbiri, and Dhenkanal as Guests of Honour.

We look forward to hearing more from you.