For over 35 years, Visheshwar Sakiani has worked to bring greenery back to Pujar Village and its surroundings in Tehri Garhwal. With his own energy and meagre resources, Saklani has transformed devastated landscapes into dense forests of oak, rhododendron, chir pine and fruit trees. In recognition of his contribution to the nature conservation, Sakiani was recently given the Briksh-Mitra ("Friend of the Trees") Award by India's Department of the Environment.
Yet last year, the Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh launched a case of illegal encroachment against this man, who has done more than most to protect the forest heritage of Garhwal.
Saklani's crusade is a story of a man fighting mountainous odds. First, he had to face the ridicule and wrath of his own fellow villagers for controlling grazing and fodder collection in the initial phase of Pujar Forest's revival.
Among the villagers were those who wanted to take immediate advantage of the protected forest. Their hostility knew no bounds and once they even had Saklani severely beaten. "Had my daughter not saved me at just the right time, I would have died that day," recalls Saklani.