With Swastik model, Oxygen Man aims to nurture 8cr trees

Nagpur: ‘Oxygen Man’ AS Nathan’s ‘Swastik’ model of plantation is gaining ground across the state, thus providing a way to combat heat waves and impact of climate change.As per the model, saplings of multiple species are planted in a 100x100 ft plot in the shape of a ‘Swastik’ — which has proved to be a unique and sustainable approach towards afforestation.

With the plantation season ahead, administrations in several districts are looking forward to implementing the model. The ‘Swastik’ model was first implemented on June 5, 2022, in Kapshi (Akola) by then district collector Nima Arora and CEO Sourabh Katyar. Since then it has been implemented in Washim, Latur, Buldhana, Amravati, and Pune districts.“I have developed the concept after a lot of research. This model is aimed at creating a diverse ecosystem by planting a variety of tree species, including fruit-bearing, medicinal and timber-yielding species, in a specific pattern that resembles the auspicious ‘Swastik’ symbol. This innovative approach not only helps increase the green cover but also ensures long-term sustainability of the plantation. Besides, the blocks in between the plantation can be used as children’s play area,” said Nathan.“The diversity of trees helps attract various species of birds, insects, and small animals, thereby enhancing the overall biodiversity of the area. The pattern also allows for optimal utilization of space and resources, ensuring each tree receives adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients,” said Nathan.Nathan, who hails from Port Blair, was a assistant film director and also worked as a film production manager with a firm owned by playback singer Udit Narayan. However, his dream was to provide oxygen by bringing in a tree revolution. Therefore, he left the film industry at the insistence of India’s computer scientist Dr Vijay Bhatkar, who he met in Neeri then.“Dr Bhatkar, who hails from Akola where heat waves are severe, liked my model and asked me to implement it in Akola. I left the film industry in 2015 and came to Akola. Since then, I’ve been organizing workshops and popularizing schemes like ‘one student, one tree,” and ‘one birth, one tree,” said Nathan. Now settled in Akola, Nathan has done 70,000 Swastik plantations on government land. “My dream is to plant 8,000 crore trees. The country has over 460 lakh hectares of wasteland, which can be utilized for plantations. I’m in touch with the district collectors and CEOs to implement the model on government department lands. I’ve no commercial interest and work free of cost,” says Nathan. One of the key advantages of the model is that the selection of species can be tailored to suit the local environment. Moreover, the involvement of local communities helps create a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the trees, ensuring their long-term care and protection.Nathan said the success of the ‘Swastik’ in Kapshi in Akola has inspired other districts and organizations to adopt this model. The state is actively promoting implementation of the model. Akola collector Ajit Kumbhar is planting 10 lakh saplings this monsoon.
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