Chennai: Chennai resident Mullaivanam and his love for plants goes a long way. To date, Mullaivanam claims to have planted over 98 lakh saplings across the State and has donated 1.4 crore plants in the last 40 years.

In a chat with News Today, the eco-warrior talks about his journey. As a young boy, Mullaivanam remembers accompanying his grandfather to the fields. “I learned a lot about the environment and reafforestation from him,” he recalls.

“My grandfather would ensure that I plant the mango seed after eating the mango,” he says.
Soon this practice turned into a ritualistic habit. Eventually, he started planting saplings or donating them. Word spread about Mullaivanam’s love for planting trees. “People started asking me about saplings,” he says.

This paved way for his ‘Tree Bank’ in 2009. “I asked myself, there are blood banks and eye banks but why isn’t there a tree bank?” says Mullaivanam.

His tree bank has over 4,000 volunteers who plant saplings across Chennai. The tree bank not only distributes free saplings but also ensures that the new owner nourishes them well. “We also train them to plant and maintain the saplings well,” says Mullaivanam.

The person receiving the sapling is expected to send photos of their plant every month. “Our volunteers keep a regular check on its growth,” he says. People approach the tree bank to plant trees during important occasions such as birthdays, wedding ceremony or anniversaries.

Mullaivanam in his house has planted over 20 varieties of trees like neem, punga, poovarasam and naval, illuppai, kalyana murungi, athi and arasamaram. “I chose these trees as they attract a lot of birds,” he says, and adds, “they provide plenty of space for the birds to build nests.”
For his birthday, Mullaivanam plans to donate more saplings.

“I am proud that the late Dr Abdul Kalam honoured my efforts with a gold medal during his presidency.” “I will continue to conserve the environment,” he says emphatically.

Mullaivanam can be reached at 94440 04310.