Man’s Green Revolution: How One Farmer Transformed a Village and Inspired a Movement

Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal’s journey from barren land to a thriving forest showcases the power of perseverance, environmental stewardship, and community transformation.

In the tranquil village of Sirkot in Uttarakhand, 60-year-old farmer Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal has turned adversity into opportunity, transforming desolate land into a verdant forest. Over four decades, his unwavering dedication to planting over one lakh trees has not only rejuvenated his land but also inspired an entire community to embrace green living.

Kuniyal’s journey began after the loss of his father at 18, a tragedy that motivated him to honor his legacy by restoring their family land. Facing initial failures and skepticism, he experimented with hardy tree species like seesham, deodar, and oak, which flourished and helped revive underground water levels, benefitting the entire village.

His efforts gained national recognition when Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him in Mann Ki Baat in 2021, sparking a wave of environmental consciousness among the villagers. Today, Kuniyal’s work has not only enhanced local livelihoods through tea cultivation but also fostered a culture of sustainability, inspiring others to plant trees and care for the environment.

“I am doing this for future generations, not for personal gain,” he says, urging collective action to combat climate change. Kuniyal’s legacy is a flourishing testament to the impact of one person’s dedication on an entire ecosystem.