In Just Three Years, This Man Has Transformed A Barren Wasteland In Karnataka Into A Pristine Forest

For Pompayya Malemath, wildlife and forests have been a passion. So much so, he grew a forest in Hospet, Karnataka, all by himself.

It all started in 2015 when Pompayya noticed a piece of land, adjacent to his own property has been turned into a garbage dumping ground. Pompayya who grew up in the area was pained to see what was happening.

Pompayya Malemath/ Facebook

So, the self-taught wildlife photographer got the necessary permission and started planting tree saplings there.

His passion and care for nature paid off. Today the once barren patch of land near the Tungabhadra high-level canal (HLC) has transformed into a thriving forest.

Pompayya Malemath

Speaking to Indiatimes, Pompayya said that he became interested in forests and wildlife since childhood.

"From childhood, I was interested in nature, wildlife, birds etc. But I could not pursue it much. Things changed in 1994 when the Daroji Sloth Bear sanctuary was declared. I joined there as a volunteer. It used to give us free access to the forest. There I began making contacts with a number of bird watchers and forest officials. That is how I became good in bird watching and wildlife photography," he said.

Pompayya who was also once an elected corporator from Kamalapur said he began noticing how slappings planted at events die down in no time, as they were not attended properly.

"It is a normal practice to plant trees in mass events. But if you go to the same spot just a few days later, the sapling would be long gone. This to me was a pointless exercise. That is how I came to the idea of planting local trees, which are suitable to the terrain and climate," he explained.

Pompayya Malemath

Pompayya said initially he began planting trees in his own land near the Tungabhadra canal.

"The land next to my property was owned by the Tungabhadra Board. But after the construction of the canal, the land was filled with construction and other waste. I then wrote to the Tungabhadra Board chairman seeking permission to plant trees there. The board chairman Ranga Reddy was an Environmental Engineering student and a nature lover. He had even seen some of my photographs. So when I proposed the idea, he too came onboard and gave the necessary approvals," Pompayya explained.

And that is how since 2015 Pompayya started planting trees on the piece of land. He also made sure that all the trees he planted were native species, which he says attract more birds there.

Pompayya Malemath

"The first thing I did was to put up a fence around the land so that people will stop throwing garbage there. Once that was done I dug small pits and started planting trees. Even now I regularly irrigate the trees and use manure like cow dung for the trees," he said.

Pompayya said he has spent more than Rs 3 lakh from his own pocket to grow the forest.

"Till now I have spent more than Rs 3 lakhs in various expenses. I have also got support from many friends including one of them who allowed me to use the water from his borewell for irrigation. Others have contributed financially and then there are some students from Kamalapur who volunteer with me," he said.

Pompayya Malemath

Today the land is home to some 800 trees, including neem, teak, silver oak, mango tree etc. and 70 species of birds, like bulbul, Robin, Kingfisher as well as animals like sloth bear, leopards, jungle cat.

Pompayya Malemath

"This is the only piece of land that has a good water source. So, in summers it attracts a lot of animals and birds which are looking for water," he said.

Looking back, Pompayya he is happy with whatever he has been able to achieve and expressed hope that it will inspire more people to do their bit to conserve forest and ecology.

"I wanted to send out a message that if one is willing it is not a difficult task. I hope more and more people will come up to save trees and forests. I also want to stress on the fact that there is no point in painting trees for the sake of it. Trees need to be taken care of properly. Additionally, I want people to pay attention to native species, which suit the land better," he said.