The Momma Clan

Roshini’s eyes glittered as she watched the stars shining while lying on the village charpoy. As the trees slowly made a hustling noise and the leaves danced to the rhythm of the wind Roshini felt gloomy.

Tomorrow, she will be leaving her village and moving to a new city just nearby. After all, the forest department had given up the idea of protecting her green village and instead opted for a row house development project.  Roshini arose from her charpoy and touched the oak tree that touched her terrace house and then she cried.

The school was over and closed. It was all gone for redevelopment. Roshini remembered her last history class. And then suddenly she smiled. Her smile was simple but her eyes said another story. They showed determination.

“Amma, I will be right back,” Roshini remarked as she ran to meet her History teacher the next day. She discussed what she had in her mind with her teacher. And they both decided to go ahead with their plan.

The villagers were all set to leave and migrate to a nearby city, as this small green village was all set for deforestation. Soon after, the row house project would take place.

“Leave the village within a few minutes; the deforestation process is about to begin, and we don’t want you all to be here at that time,” yelled Nihal Babu, chewing on his favourite pan. Officer Vijay smirked beside him, he knew what the row house project would get him after the trees were chopped and the land was barren.

Roshini arrived that very moment with a bunch of her friends and her History teacher. All of them embraced one tree, one by one. Then Roshini yelped. “The Chipko movement is back again after several decades. We won’t budge. We have hugged the trees, if you still feel the need to chop them, chop us first,” she muttered with courage.

Soon, the villagers embraced every tree, and the whole of the forest area was under the Chipko movement. Officer Vijay took an axe himself and tried to chop a tree but all the kids embraced the tree tightly. The officer decided to wait. After all, people would leave the tree when they would feel hungry or thirsty, he thought.

Three days passed, and the news became viral of the people who were willing to give up their lives but would save the trees by embracing them. The chief minister soon had to intervene in the matter.

Little Roshini had lost her strength but not her spirit. As the chief minister offered her water she said. “I want a promise that no trees will be cut for further developments, trees are life and killing life is a crime. Humans are selfish. Imagine if trees become selfish like us. If they stop growing or giving oxygen, flowers, food or fruits. What will happen to our planet and the human race? They will be extinct for sure. Please don’t cut trees, find an alternate solution.

Deforestation is a threat to us. With the advent of technology, find solutions to save trees rather than destroy them,” echoed Roshini ‘s voice.

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Project Roshini was initiated by the government in the same year, and the Chipko movement spread across many other places. Under Project Roshini, trees were protected, and permission for other developments was reviewed. Alternate space or land options were given. Or space was created keeping in mind the environment and less deforestation.

Nihal Babu and Officer Vijay were punished. They had to hug the trees all day and night for up to three days, just like the villagers!

Roshini smiled at the twinkling stars while she slept on her charpoy.  The oak tree danced in the rhythm of the wind sending across a cool breeze, while Roshini felt pampered by her best friend.

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Dedicated to the Chipko movement in India that saved trees many years back.

-Durriya Sakarwala