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Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: June 5: These are the sentiments of a 72 years old true tree lover Narayan Mahadev Joshi, a resident of sector-9 CBD Belapur. Joshi comes regularly to Valley Park to water the trees planted by him, carrying loads of water bottles on his shoulders. A retired irrigation Superintendent Engineer, Pune Division, who settled in Navi Mumbai two years back, Joshi tells Vashi2panvel.com about his passion towards trees and nature on the occasion of World Environment Day. Excerpts of interview:

V2P: Since when have you been coming here to water the plants?

Joshi: I planted two mango trees about a year and half ago. I also found out that people plant trees but later on forget about them. As a result many plants die. That's why I was determined to water these trees that I had planted. On an average, I walk about 3 Kms a day, which also keeps me fit physically.

V2P: How did think of planting trees and also nurturing them?

Joshi:In Pune there is a park named "Smriti Van". Here people plant trees in memory of departed souls, with nameplates over it. This is perhaps the best way to pay our tributes to them. When I shifted to Navi Mumbai I was lucky to be so close to nature.

V2P: How many people are with you behind this noble work?

Joshi:Sometimes, I come here alone, but I have the moral support of my friends and neighbours.

V2P: Now a days you can see concrete jungles are slowly replacing green belts. What is your opinion?

Joshi:It is very unfortunate that people call it development and modernization when buildings are constructed at the cost of forests and greenery. People should never forget the importance of nature. Nobody stops them from planting trees in and around their housing societies. On the contrary people specially some builders mercilessly cut trees and believe in this false concept of modernization.

Umesh Malviya