SON OF THE SOIL

Working towards reversing environmental damage, DFO Dharmveer Dairu explains to Harpreet Bajwa how he recycled discarded plastic bags during tree plantation initiatives and sold them to generate revenue

LOCATED between the Ravi and Beas rivers, the small city of Pathankot in Punjab was home to a tree plantation drive aimed at restoring the ecological balance that had been disrupted by extensive mining and deforestation. However, the city faced a challenge: the disposal of plastic bags used to secure the young saplings.

It was at this juncture then that a young Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Dharmveer Dairu was posted as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Pathankot in July 2022. Concerned over the situation, he embarked on an initiative of recycling the discarded waste plastic bags and selling them to the scrap dealers. To date, 3,300 kilograms of such bags have been collected, re-cycled, sold and the proceeds used for various welfare activities, including supporting Self-Help Groups.

(SHGs).