Model Village Project: Bhonsa

First Tree Plantation

With the concept of transforming Bhonsa (Ward No. 9 of Bethan VDC at Ramechhap district), a village to Community Model Village, Better World Family Nepal (BWFN) is working in different aspects of the area such as education; environment; youth mobilization and so on. Related with such aspects, BWFN undertook the Plantation approach to reach near to the concept regarding environment. At the venue the event was supposed to execute coordinating with the village community people considering all age groups as well gender to bring ownership from every level to the initiation. Plantation event was expected to create the barren steep land to green scenic beautiful land with consideration on issues related with Global warming, that is heating the earth with Chloro Flouro Carbon (CFC’s) on which Better World Initiation on the issue is bench mark to Go green.

With great enthusiasm and excitement, on August 10, 2010 (Tuesday) sharp at 6:30 am morning everyone gathered and spotted with required tools and materials for the purpose of plantation. Although through the body language and the way of communicating pattern from the villagers, it was wondering that the day would be worth with time and commitment values that we spend on. Around 60 numbers of people gathering made the circumstances more enthusiasm. Participation from the female counter part was incredible whereas youths are no far from it. Likewise, the event seems to be more participative with inclusive manner i.e. Dalits participation were also acknowledgeable. Likewise, the formal event started from introductions and orientation on the procedure of planting the trees. Somehow we managed to do so in soothing environment with every kind interaction with people from different level which made moment to go through.

Good experience came out when the people were not clear enough regarding the planting procedure, so we had a tough time to approach double work i.e. amend planted pits for proper execution of the plants. But still it was manageable. So from organizational point of view, despite of tough situation the morning period was worthwhile. Due to the digging the pits earlier for 800 plants, it was possible to complete plantation around at 10:30 am which shows the pro activeness of the villagers and responsible towards the need of time i.e. plantation. The outmost objective for the plantation was not only to succeed plantation within the venue but also to make and realize the villagers to know the values of the event and the positive result in near future. Thus, for the first phase, BWFN objectified to plant 800 species for the day including Lapsi, Amala, Ibil, Guava, Orange, and as such. Along with the villagers commitment to take care and up brings the plants with proper care, with certain terms and condition, BWFN committed in executing second phase of plantation at the same venue but in barren lands only if they succeeded to do so.

Working with the rural people sometime is cake walk but sometime it’s a hard to swallow. Likewise, the bitter words from the people somehow degrade the motivation whereas some boost the energy. Base on the experience, one adult person during plantation, gripped that “How we can manage the water for the trees every day, whereas it was hard time to collect the people for the plantation”. Despite, in the same moment, Ramhari (a youth) insisted “You just showed us the way, now it’s our responsibility to save the trees so you people don’t have to worry”. Suddenly, the statement from two different people represents the ongoing current scenario revolving in our country i.e. a gap among the generations. But still, the hope of optimistic energizes us and made the plantation event worthwhile far from reality.