Mayapur Clean and Green, under the leadership of Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, has recently undertaken a significant tree planting drive aimed at restoring the natural beauty and ecological balance of Sri Mayapur Dham. With a deep commitment to environmental protection rooted in spiritual consciousness, the effort focused on systematic planting and long-term care of trees that hold both ecological and spiritual value.

Over the years, thousands of trees—banyan, peepal, mango, jackfruit, and others—have been felled to widen roads and make way for construction. This has not only disrupted the ecological balance but has also erased vital elements of the spiritual landscape. “These trees are not ordinary,” said Murari Mohini Devi Dasi. “They are eternal associates of the Lord, present in His pastimes.”

Murari Mohini Devi Dasi gave an account of the rich variety of trees that once flourished in the area, highlighting the loss felt by the community. Banyan and peepal trees once lined Bhaktisiddhanta Road, extending from Mother Ganga to Rajapur, providing shade, beauty, and shelter to numerous birds and animals. These trees, some over 300 years old, played a vital role in the dham’s natural and spiritual environment. 

Portions of wood from these ancient trees, particularly those at Yogapitha, have been preserved as a tribute to their long-standing service. “This tree planting effort is dedicated to those venerable trees who sacrificed their lives for the holy land. We firmly believe they have now returned to the spiritual world,” said Murari Mohini.

Trees in the Vaishnava Tradition

Citing scriptural references and drawing from the rich Vaishnava tradition, Murari Mohini Devi Dasi emphasized the deep spiritual significance of trees in devotional life. Far beyond their ecological value, trees are respected in the scriptures as spiritual beings who participate in the divine pastimes of the Lord. 

She explained that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared under a neem tree in Mayapur. Similarly, Srila Prabhupada took birth under the shade of a jackfruit tree. In the eternal pastimes of Krishna Leela, the presence of trees is equally important. Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna are described as meeting beneath the kadamba tree. Madhavendra Puri himself was a Kalpavriksha tree in Lord Krishna’s pastimes. 

Even the Bhagavad-gita affirms the significance of trees, where Lord Krishna declares, “Out of all trees, I am the banyan tree.” Yet today, banyan trees barely have a chance to grow in the holy dham. One of the key inspirations of Mayapur Clean and Green is to revive the sacred banyan trees that once lined both sides of Bhaktisiddhanta Road and the banks of Mother Ganga and Mother Jalangi.

The Toll of Development: A Vanishing Green Legacy

The scale of deforestation in the area has been alarming, with a general estimation of approximately 10,000 trees cut down across various regions, not just between Hular Ghat and Taranpur Ghat. The affected areas include Bhaktisiddhanta Road to Yogpeeth, Bamanpukur, Rajapur, Saraswati Nagar, Russian Para, Mulapara, and beyond. A wide variety of trees were lost, including mango, jamun, jackfruit, litchi, guava, dates, kadamba, neem, star fruit, custard apple (sita phal), khejur, and kool, significantly impacting the region’s biodiversity.

Despite the obstacles, some progress has been made. Local panchayat authorities granted permission to plant trees in select areas, and the initiative has received a warm response from residents. Murari Mohini explained, “Many local people were happy to see trees being planted again. They especially asked for fruit trees—jackfruit, mango, lychee—because they once relied on them as an important food source.”

Community Roots: Planting Hope One Tree at a Time

The effort has managed to plant 60 trees with help from local authorities and donors. Thirty of these trees were adopted through individual sponsorships. “We intend to take care of each tree for at least three years, until they are strong enough to sustain themselves. We water them daily, check their condition, protect them, and provide special care when needed. It is a long-term responsibility, requiring dedication and resources,” she noted.

Guruseva Devi Dasi, who adopted one of the trees, shared, “I deeply appreciate Murari Mohini Mataji’s efforts in the Clean and Green Project. When I learned that we could adopt a tree through a donation, I felt truly happy to participate. Although my other commitments prevent me from being actively involved, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute in this way. Planting a tree once again serves as a powerful reminder of the wonders of Mother Earth and the generosity of our seed-giving Father, Krishna, from whom everything originates.”

Despite the small scale of the current efforts, the team remains hopeful. “After more than three years of waiting, we finally received permission to plant trees. That alone gives us hope. We feel small in the face of such a massive task, but we continue to pray for support—from the panchayat, from the state and central governments, and from ISKCON leadership.”

Challenges and a Call to Serve the Dham

However, there are challenges. Without land ownership, securing locations for planting remains difficult. Murari Mohini Devi Dasi has appealed to ISKCON Mayapur authorities for permission to assist in developing the forest and park areas included in the master plan. “We are ready to help,” she said. “We only need the opportunity to serve.”

“For years, we’ve been trying to bring back the trees that were once an essential part of the dham’s landscape,” she explained. “Unfortunately, we don’t own any land, and that makes it very difficult to get permission to plant trees. Our dream is to one day have a park where we can plant a banyan tree in the center, surrounded by many other trees. But until then, it’s a challenge to find suitable land.”

The initiative, though limited in resources, represents a sincere offering to the land of Lord Chaitanya. “This is just the beginning,” said Murari Mohini Devi Dasi. “We hope many more will come forward to support and take part in this service. The holy dham gives us everything. It is our duty to protect and beautify it in return.”

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