In a flat in Sector 3/4, Vashi, children in the five to 15 age group stand around a table, keenly observing the clay, sand, manure and seeds placed on it. All they know is they have to make ‘seed bombs’; they’re not quite sure what it means. The suspense is cleared when Salma Prabhu (53), a clinical psychologist and environmentalist, explains to them about global warming and the need for each one of us to plant and nurture at least one tree in our surroundings.
Planting ‘seed bombs’
“There are a number of open pits along the highways. All we have to do is just put one seed in these pits, preferably before the onset of monsoons, and the next time we go on the same route, there will be a blooming plant greeting us,” she says to the children, who are fascinated by the concept.
“Seed bombs,” she explains, “are free workshops designed to generate interest among children and parents about the need to plant trees.”
The seeds of trees like gulmohar, silver oak and mango are put inside a ball made of clay, manure, sand and water in the given proportion. These act as ‘bombs’ which sprout during the monsoon. The children are encouraged to take care of these balls at home and let them dry. Whenever they go on a long drive, they are told to simply put them in the pits along the highway. The rains take care of the rest.
Ms. Prabhu, who has nurtured a deep love for plants from her childhood and has over 100 plants in her terrace, strongly feels the need to promote greenery. “While there is growing awareness in the recent past and many social and government organisations are doing a lot, I felt, as an individual, I had to do my bit,” says Ms. Prabhu.
She unveiled a Facebook page, ‘Gift a Plant Project’ (GaPP), in February this year, with the aim to promote plants as gifting options.
“While I had always been encouraging, for the past three decades, the idea of gifting plants, I felt there was a need to take it to a larger group,” she says. The page, which now has over 2,600 members, has been advocating this idea. “Bouquets are beautiful, but plants can become trees and give joy for generations.”
Gifting saplings
She fondly remembers how a friend gifted her a Christmas tree 15 years ago, and she planted it in the compound of her society. It is now as tall as a two-storeyed building.
With World Environment Day round the corner, Ms. Prabhu is gearing up to spread more awareness. “I have become a member of several Facebook groups promoting greenery from across the world, and have been championing the concept of gifting a plant. It is heartwarming to see that people are adopting the concept with open arms,” says Ms. Prabhu.
To help people plant different varieties in normal and recycled pots, Ms. Prabhu has been conducting free workshops. “I teach in simple steps: how to make a new creation either in trays or terrariums or in just plain pots, which can be gifted to the loved ones.”
Manual for beginners
For the convenience of those who wish to gift plants but do not know how to make these beautiful creations or cannot attend her workshops, Ms. Prabhu is authoring a manual. “It can easily be used by beginners and experienced people, and will provide different gifting varieties.”
In the long run, she sees her effort as a small step. “Mine is just a drop in the ocean towards making our surroundings greener and healthier. The ultimate aim is to spread the message to everyone to take the challenge and bring about a difference by adopting, planting and nurturing a tree, and making it a habit to gift a plant,” says Ms. Prabhu.
Perhaps the best tribute to her effort comes from those whose lives she has touched, including children. “I love plants and there are several at our home. However, I will now plant a few saplings around the society I live in as well as around the school,” says Nikita Dubey (15), a Class X student of Samata Hindi Vidyalaya, Turbhe.
Small act, big impact
Irshaad Ali (14) and Sohail Sheikh (15), residents of a Turbhe slum, have also understood the role of plants in arresting global warming. “We have now realised that a small act from us can go a long way in leaving a better environment for the next generation,” says Mr. Sheikh.
Project: Gift a Plant Project (GaPP)
Founder: Salma Prabhu
Founded: February 2017
Facebook:www.facebook.com/giftaplant projectGaPP
Contact:9987023172
