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In his nature of things

Photo: S. Siva Saravanan

Talking environment has become fashionable. But Marimuthu Yoganathan is a genuine environment enthusiast. Not often do you meet someone who has dedicated over 25 years towards planting more than 50,000 tree saplings single-handedly. This, by trekking the expanse of a state as large as Tamil Nadu; by visiting almost every school and college in every district, to raise environmental awareness. And, if this isn’t special enough, consider how despite earning a modest bus conductor’s salary, Yoganathan has consistently worked towards this larger cause.

He was the recipient of the Eco Warrior Award conferred by the Indian Government last year. “My request to have the award sent to me by post was declined. I was concerned about the train fare, the days taken for my leave, and accommodation costs in New Delhi. But, I’m glad I received the award in person by none other than the Vice President of the country,” Yoganathan says with his earnest smile.

His mission has always been a tough enterprise. "At one point, I was transferred to nine branches in 23 months. I couldn’t last in a single place of duty for more than 90 days. This was the punishment I received for using my working days to plant trees, and visiting schools and colleges to raise awareness,” Yoganathan explains. “But, I never saw this as punishment. It was an opportunity to plant trees in different places, and reach out to as many schools, colleges and people as possible," he continues.

His love for nature began at an early age, for Yoganathan spent hours in the Kotagiri forests while visiting his sister. “The initial recorded campaign began in 1987. Forest trees were being felled for firewood. We voiced our protest through street plays, lying in front of lorries carrying chopped trees and campaigning in schools all over the Nilgiris,” Yoganathan narrates. Much of what he has learnt is due to his interactions with the tribal population .

“The tribal people understand the vital roles played by all living species for environmental sustenance,” says Yoganathan.

Wildlife photographers helped him with material for slide shows on the environment. And, these slide shows have served as his primary tool to raise awareness ever since. “I used to cut photographs from newspapers to prepare my slides. I was fortunate to receive support to make my collection grow up to nearly 1000 slides!”

Akin to a walking-talking version of the National Geographic, Yoganathan shows me his slides of animals, flowers, trees and everything else that speaks nature. “I’m off-duty on Mondays. And I use this to visit schools and colleges,” he says.

Undeterred by the compulsions of his regular job, this one-man army has traced the regions of Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Pudukottai, Trichy, Kanyakumari, Dharmapuri, Chennai, and more. And, in Pudukottai and Trichy, Yoganathan has covered all educational institutions with his campaign.

“Children understand better when they are given alternatives. For instance, I ask them to use steel cups to drink water instead of plastic cups,” Yoganathan explains.

In Tirunelvelli district alone, Yoganathan has raised herbal gardens in over 400 schools. And, his slide-show tally is an impressive 2043. But numbers don’t play any significance in his vocabulary. “Children are ever ready to learn. It is our duty to teach them. They are the future, which is why I concentrate so much on them,” he explains.

Relentless has been his pursuit to save our environment. Anti-plastic drives, escorting children to forests, participating in seminars for doctors on medical wastage treatment, raising awareness among women’s self-help groups, the list is endless. All this, apart from making a film on the need to preserve our environment!

“The Tamil Nadu Transport Staff Federation, which is an independent body, helped me raise Rs. 60,000 for the film, with each member contributing Rs. 5,” Yoganathan says.

Consider also his interaction with farmers, serving as faculty member for the NSS State Training Centre and the National Green Corps, raising campaigns against the mistreatment of factory wastage, and attending meetings of the Teachers’ Cluster Training Resource Centre.

“Among my special moments is the planting of fruit trees in the Coimbatore Central Prison,” Yoganathan says. He is keen to cover all the many acres within the prison.

And, he can’t wait to actively engage with Green Youth. “This brings 20 schools, both private and government-aided ones in Coimbatore into its fold. We will have regular environmental classes, film screenings, and visits to the forest,” he says with excitement.

“My primary goal is to engage all the schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu towards environment conservation,” he continues. And, I am unsure whether to respond to his indomitable spirit with humility, a bit of personal shame, or hope. Perhaps, it is all of this, and then some more.

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