Despite facing opposition in the beginning, Chandan Nayal eventually gained the support of people, and planted 53,800 saplings. In recognition of his contributions, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, honoured him with the Water Hero Award in 2020.
Nainital: Most young people choose to go for lucrative jobs in the cities after completing their education. Chandan Nayal, a resident of Nainital, moved out his hometown to pursue better opportunities in metropolitan cities. However, during the summer break when he returned to his village, the sight of forest fires saddened him. This prompted his decision to quit his job and to dedicate himself to environmental protection.
Quitting the job
Chandan Nayal was born in Naie village in Okhalkanda block. His worked used to work as a farmer. He earned a diploma in engineering and began working in a private company. However, the memory of the forest fires he witnessed in his hometown never left him. Alongside his job, he started planting trees and eventually made the decision to leave his job. He moved back to his village and launched tree planting campaigns.
When Chandan embarked on his environmental conservation campaign, he was met with significant resistance. People questioned his choice of work and expressed scepticism regarding his endeavours. However, Chandan remained steadfast in his passion for environmental work.
Planting 53,800 saplings
Despite facing opposition from his family, Chandan Nayal launched a tree plantation campaign. However, his dedication for his work eventually garnered support from the community. With the support, he planted 53,800 saplings. Moreover, 6000 chal-khal (water saving technique) were constructed on the mountains for water conservation. These efforts yielded positive results; there was a significant revival of water sources in the area. In recognition of his contributions, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, honoured him with the Water Hero Award in 2020. His efforts were also acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann Ki Baat programme.
What is chal-khal?
Shallow pits are made in mountain catchment areas that connect to slope drains. These pits or puddles collect water during the rainy season, serving as a vital water resource for animals year-round.
Chandan's dedication
In the year 2017, Chandan Nayal took an oath to donate his organs after his death. With the support of local residents, he has increased forest cover in the region by planting thousands of trees. Furthermore, he also runs his own nursery, cultivating saplings of various plants like peach, walnut, lemon and more.
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