Madan planted Ghaf, Aloe Vera and Neem trees with children.
Sharjah - Her aim this year was to generate kids' interest in environment.
Published: Wed 12 Apr 2017, 3:59 PM
Last updated: Wed 12 Apr 2017, 9:38 PM
Sharjah-based teenager had a rather unconventional way to celebrate turning 18.
Arushi Madan, a young environmentalist, spent her birthday week planting 100 trees with children in nurseries and labourers.
Ahead of Earth Day on April 22 and her birthday on April 17, Madan said she's been following her 'Birthday Plantation' tradition since 2012, but this year she decided to make it bigger by planting in five different places across the emirate.
"I believe that trees are the lifelines and lungs of earth. Planting trees is the most efficient way to combat climate change and help protect environment," said Madan, an appointed Regional Environment Ambassador by Tunza Eco Generation.
Madan planted Ghaf, Aloe Vera and Neem trees with children at Lollipop Nursery and Little Angel British Nursery, before heading to Sharjah industrial area and Sharjah free zone to plant with labourers.
Her last 10 saplings were planted with community friends in a villa near Kuwait roundabout in Sharjah. She was supported by Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) that gave her 60 plants to grow, Barakat Juice and Lulu Hypermarket.
This year's plantation brings the number to the trees she planted over the past years to 250.
Breakdown of trees plantedLollipop Nursery: 30 Aloe Vera
Little Angel British Nursery: 20 Ghaf
Sharjah industrial Area: 20 Neem
Sharjah Free zone: 10 Aloe Vera and 10 Neem
Villa by Kuwait Roundabout: 10 Ghaf
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She noted that her aim this year was to generate kids' interest in environment and create the sense of responsibility through personalising their experiences.
"I made them understand what Earth day means and that they should not throw litter around, should not waste food and should plant trees on their birthdays to save Mother Earth."
She added, "I told them that paper and pencils they use come from trees that they have planted, and I took a pledge with them to work collectively to save Earth."
Madan, currently an Electronic and Electrical Engineering freshman at the UK's University of Birmingham, said that environment awareness is best instilled among the young.
"Just like my parents' simple advice made me an environment activist since I was a child, I believe children are like moulding clay who will pick up the habit very fast," said Madan, noting that planting trees should be part of every school curriculum.
"When we give children an experience in plantation, they will remember it for a lifetime," she said.
In 2015, Madan was the only UAE winner in the International Young Eco Hero Award from US-based "Action For Nature." She also won the "International Diana Award" among various global and national awards.
How to plant a tree- Before planting, ensure there's someone who can look after your tree.
- Research the type of plant that would fit the country's climate.
- Dig a deep hole, and invert the plant's case allowing the sapling to fall into the hole.
- Cover the plant with sand and water.
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Beating the general stereotype around the difficulty of planting, Madan said all it takes is picking the right drought-resistant plant that can survive hot climate and watering it every few days.
She said she had spoken to gardeners at the chosen locations in advance to ensure saplings were watered until they grow to become trees, besides her casual visits.
"Going green doesn't have to be a daunting task. Before taking action, ask yourself 3 questions-Is it necessary? What will be its impact on the environment? Is there an eco-friendlier alternative?"
"Be wise, don't waste water, energy and most important don't waste food. After all, earth provides enough to satisfy man's needs, not man's greed," said Madan.
sherouk@khaeejtimes.com
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