Testimonials of FES Volunteers: Sanjeev Naik 2019-20

When I first heard of 14 Trees, I was somewhat cynical that this is another plantation driven NGO. And now in the last 6 months I have visited the site 14 times. And the reason for this transformation was the amazing experiences I have had right from my first visit on 26th June 2022 as part of the FES initiative with 14 Trees. The first trip is still fresh in memories as it involved very charged up FES members, most of whom were visiting the site for the first time. 

We were wonderstruck at the scale of the project which is being carried out on completely degraded land. More amazing has been the manner in which this has been conceived and implemented. Ground realities of the strata, local challenges of community and with the focus that this has to be a repeatable model for anywhere else in the country has led to an evolving approach where different sets of stakeholders are considered and engaged in a constructive and innovative manner. 

With each visit, we are not just getting opportunities to revise the ecology and sustainability related learning of our ES Course, but actually the opportunity to experiment and apply these on an open canvas. Further the wonderful opportunities to connect and bond with all our like-minded alumni across batches and contribute together for diverse exciting tasks right from biodiversity study to community engagement and data management and much more creative projects. Additionally, interesting experiences to meet and connect with diverse people (who have not done the ES Course), many of them with illustrious backgrounds and exciting talents, allows us to engage with them and promote awareness ingrained from our course and also exchange related knowledge. 

Too many wonderful experiences which are difficult to encapsulate here, and hence to sum it up I would say that this inspiring initiative is the perfect platform for all ES alumni and similar like-minded folks to come together with open minds, share their ideas, apply their skills and bond with open hearts and in the process heal the planet and its denizens.

sanjnaikster@gmail.com