PUNE: In a bid to help reforest the areas affected by Cyclone Fani in Odisha, the Orchid Hotel Pune has sent 10,00,000 seed balls to Odisha on Friday.
The truck was flagged off in the presence of green hotelier and founder of Orchid Hotels, Vithal Kamat, amongst others at the hotel in Balewadi. Out of the 10 lakh seed balls sent to Odisha, around 4,86,000 are made in Pune with the help of several organisations. Seeds of trees such as Neem, Peepal and Banyan have been used in the project.
Local communities such as the Facebook-based group Pune Ladies, Dhruv Foundation and Blue Ridge International School in Hinjawadi are among those who contributed in making these seed balls.
Speaking on the occasion, Kamat appreciated everyone for their contribution and said, “We are the custodians of the earth. As our ancestors have passed it on to us, it is our job now to hand over the earth safely to our further generations.”
He also added that these trees will not just be planted but will also be looked after. “We have been collaborating with several organisations, leaders, villagers and students in Odisha. They will plant trees and also take care of them. We will also be organising competitions in the area to see to it that everyone works more efficiently,” Kamat explained. Kamat has appealed to the people to make 1 crore 11 lakh seed balls in the project next year.
Blue Ridge International School Principal Smita Kshirsagar said, “The children really enjoyed the process of making seed balls. Usually, when we ask them to collect items or funds for a disaster-relief programme, they do not really have an emotional connect with the work. However, since they have put in their efforts this time, they truly experienced what they did.”
City-based environmentalist Saba Poonawala who has contributed 11,000 seed balls said, “I loved how simple the task was and what kind of an impact it can have.”
Kamat Hotels (India) Limited have three hotels in the area affected by Cyclone Fani - Lotus Konark Eco Resort, Mahodadhi Palace and Orchid Bhubaneshwar. The management, staff and their families were all affected. Together, under the guidance of Kamat, they decided to take action and reforest the area.