A legendary Treeman of India, 97 year old Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani is no more. He planted more than 50 lakh trees in Uttarakhand.

A true conservator of forests, protector of ecology of the Garhwal Himalayas who’d planted more than fifty lakh trees during his whole life time from age eight to 96 is no more. Vishveshwar Dutt Saklani, real Tree planting legend of the country breathed his last today.

Born on June 2nd 1922, brother of a great freedom fighter and revolutionery Nagendra Dutt Saklani who laid down his life against the repression of then Rajshahi of Tehri Garhwal by remaining on 84 days hunger strike, a treeman of India Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani belonging to the Pujar Village in Tehri Garhwal Uttarakhand planted over 50 lakh trees during his entire lifetime thus regenerating the barren land, converting them into fertile agricultural fields single handedly thus conserving the ecology of the Himalayan state n setting an outstanding example in the world.

A man with no monetary resources and father of five children, one of his son namely Santosh Saklani is today the protocol officer in the office of the governor of Uttarakhand.

It sounds shocking that while legendary treeman Saklani was involved in planting more n more trees in and around the surrounding forests of Pujar Gaon in Tehri Garhwal spanning 9 decades, a case was lodged against him by the local authorities which he finally won from the Court as the judge concerned instead of punishing him lauded his pro ecological efforts n said that planting trees is no offence rather a service to the society n environment.

Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani was closely associated and had worked in close proximity with eminent environmentalist Sundar Lal Bahuguna, Megsaysay recipient Chandi Prasad Bhatt, environmental activist Vijay Jardari, Jamnalal Bajaj awardee n Beej Bachao andolan’s leader n activist Dhoom Singh Negi n activist journalist, writer Kunwar Prasoon Negi.

According to Green Eulogy , courtsey : Tania Shaili n Anoop Nautiyal, a green activist n former DG of 108 Uttarakhand :
As the news of the passing away of the 97 year old Tree Man of India, Shri Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani spread like wildfire, condolences started pouring in from far and wide.

By planting and fondly nurturing more than 50 Lakh trees, Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani, a small-time farmer, single-handedly regenerated once-barren land in and around Pujargaon, his remote Garhwal village about 50 kilometres from Dehra Dun.

Saklani began planting trees in 1948 after he lost his brother. Grief-stricken, Saklani used to roam the hills to seek solace. It was during this dark period that he decided to create a befitting memorial for his dearly departed and heal himself in the process. His zeal for planting more trees gained momentum after his mothers death.

Saklani’s labour of love not only made him a more serene man, it brought life back in its myriad forms to his area.

Hillsides, once denuded by indiscriminate timber-felling and quarrying became lush green. Thanks to the trees having taken firm roots, the soil of terraced fields stabilised and once-dry streams began to flow again. The villagers traditional sources of fodder and fuel were restored, with flora and fauna returned in abundance.

Saklani’s zeal to plant trees on every barren patch of land earlier brought him in conflict with uncomprehending villagers and officious bureaucrats. But his transparent sincerity and the benefits of his work gradually won people over, inspiring other individuals and organizations in the region to take up their own tree-planting programmes.

Uttarakhand Journalists Forum expresses its sincere n hearfelt tributes to this great man appealing one and all residing in and outside Uttarakhand to plant at least 10 trees in their lifetime n nurturing them thereafter in order to pay earnest respect to this great soul.

The Forum also appeals to the government of Uttarakhand to recommend the name of late Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani to union government to bestow on him the prestigious President’s honour Padma Vibhushan, postumously, for his life long service n contribution to the ecological conservation of Garhwal, Himalayas.