A Life Rooted in Nature
In an age where material wealth often outweighs concern for the environment, one man from Odisha has quietly redefined the meaning of true prosperity. For over four decades, Gunthiram Jena, a humble daily wage earner from Jajpur district, has been dedicating his meager earnings and boundless energy to the cause of nature. His mission: planting and protecting trees. Today, his effort stands tall in the form of more than one lakh trees—a living testament to his devotion.
Jena’s tireless commitment has earned him the title of “Tree Man of Jajpur.” His journey is not just about planting trees but about cultivating hope, resilience, and a vision for a greener tomorrow.
From a Cyclone’s Fury to a Green Crusade
Jena’s environmental journey began at the age of 20, long before “climate change” became a buzzword. The 1999 super cyclone, which devastated Odisha’s green cover, only deepened his resolve. He began working across villages such as Similia, Markandpur, Basudevpur, and Bichirpur panchayats, transforming stretches of barren land into thriving green belts.
For communities who lost both shelter and greenery to the cyclone’s fury, Jena’s efforts became a ray of renewal. What many viewed as wasteland, he envisioned as future forests. His philosophy was simple yet profound: “Nature is God, and God is Nature.”
A Daily Wage Earner’s Unpaid Mission
Despite being the sole breadwinner of his family, Jena has never let poverty dim his spirit. Living in a thatched hut with his wife and three daughters, he continues to juggle physical labour during the day and environmental work in his spare hours.
Every evening, armed with a rusty bicycle, a spade, saplings, and a small pouch of seeds, he pedals across villages. Whether under scorching heat, torrential rain, or biting cold, his resolve never wavers. For him, planting is just the first step—nurturing is the real challenge. “Like us, trees need care to survive,” he says. “The only difference is that they can’t cry out when in pain, so it is our duty to protect them.”
Inspiration from the Radio Waves
Growing up in a modest household without access to television, Jena’s life took a turn one day when he heard a radio program about climate change. That broadcast, he recalls, was a turning point. It gave him purpose, convincing him that protecting the environment was not just important, but urgent.
Since then, planting trees has become his identity, even taking precedence over personal comfort. For him, it is not a hobby or occasional activity—it is a lifelong vow.
Recognition and Neglect
Though his work has been widely admired, official support has remained elusive. Jena was conferred the Prakruti Bandhu award for his contribution to environmental protection, yet his personal struggles remain unaddressed. He has long applied for a house under the government’s housing scheme, but despite repeated visits to block offices, his family continues to live in a fragile hut.
Ironically, while his saplings grow into towering trees, his own household remains vulnerable. His life underlines a striking paradox: someone who has given the district lush greenery still waits for basic shelter.
More Than Trees: A Message for All
For Jena, his mission is not only about combating deforestation or restoring biodiversity but about spreading awareness. He believes that planting trees is an act of faith—an investment in future generations. His message resonates strongly in today’s world: “We owe it to Mother Nature. Just as she nurtures us, it is our responsibility to nurture her.”
His story serves as a reminder that environmental stewardship does not require wealth or status. All it needs is commitment, empathy, and an understanding that prosperity without sustainability is meaningless.
Hope for a Progressive Odisha
Gunthiram Jena’s life is a powerful example of what one individual can achieve with perseverance and vision. He has shown that protecting nature is not merely the job of governments or corporations—it is everyone’s duty. His journey also highlights the urgent need for society and the administration to support such silent warriors, ensuring that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
As Odisha strides forward on its development path, it must also embrace and uplift people like Jena, who remind us that the true measure of progress lies not just in economic growth, but in the preservation of the environment that sustains us all.
(With agency inputs)
