How Did Padma Shri Awardee Transform Rajasthan's Arid Lands into a Green Canvas?

Synopsis
Discover how Padma Shri Sunda Ram Verma, a true nature warrior, has transformed Rajasthan's drylands into flourishing green spaces using only one litre of water per tree. His groundbreaking techniques and unwavering dedication have inspired a national movement towards environmental sustainability.
Key Takeaways
- Sunda Ram Verma has pioneered a sustainable method of tree cultivation.
- Utilizes only one litre of water per tree.
- Planted over 100,000 trees in Rajasthan.
- Awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions.
- His work promotes dryland agroforestry as a solution for arid regions.
New Delhi, June 5 (NationPress) ‘Cultivating trees using only one litre of water’ might seem like an unachievable feat to many, yet Rajasthan's 'nature warrior' Sunda Ram Verma has turned this into reality through his unwavering determination and tireless efforts. His remarkable journey to revive the parched lands of Sikar has captured national attention.
Recently, Modi Story, a well-known social media platform on X, highlighted the inspiring transformation of Rajasthan’s arid regions into lush greenery.
As noted by the Modi Story handle, the groundbreaking work of Padma Shri Sunda Ram Verma caught the eye of then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, who inquired about launching a similar project in his home state.
In a video, Verma shares that he created a method for nurturing plants and trees with a lifetime water requirement of merely one litre, sparking widespread interest.
“I conducted extensive research on cultivating trees with just one litre of water. My achievements were featured in Gujarat's newspapers. Following that, I received a call from CM Narendra Modi. He asked if this could be replicated in Gujarat,” he recounted.
Two decades later, his dedication and research were acknowledged when he received the Padma Shri award in 2021.
The distinguished environmentalist has planted over 50,000 trees in the dry Shekhawati region of Rajasthan utilizing a water-efficient technique known as ‘dryland agroforestry’ which requires only one litre of water per tree.
Today, Padma Shri Sunda Ram Verma is passionately advancing his mission to convert 'drylands into farmlands'.
He emphasizes that over the past 25 years, he has planted 50,000 trees; however, after receiving the nation’s prestigious civilian honour, he has managed to plant an additional 50,000 in just two years.
In summarizing his motivational journey, the Modi Story stated on X, “This is more than a tale of one man's dedication; it embodies the vision of a developed India, where even a small impact, fueled by the leadership of PM Modi, can produce extraordinary outcomes.”