Don Bosco Youth Institute, a skill training centre for poor young people from the rural areas of Maharashtra, is situated on a 67-acre property. Most of this property is hilly terrain, which has patches of thorny bushes that often catch fire during the hot summer season. For several years, this vast property was left unused and barren.

With the covid pandemic spreading its tentacles rapidly across India, not only were the metropolitan cities affected, but the small towns and remote villages were also brought to a virtual standstill. Consequently, all activities also came to a grinding halt at Don Bosco Youth Institute. With no students in the workshops as well as in the hostel, the place had a deserted and dreary look.

This is when the Salesian community decided on setting up a plantation of fruit trees, spices and medicinal plants, to rejuvenate the land. To raise funds for this project, the Salesians launched a campaign titled: “Care for Creation – I will plant a forest.” They invited donors to sponsor a plant for rupees two thousand, and in return offered them free camping facilities on the premises for two days, along with their families, which they could avail of twice a year, for three years.

Several benefactors came forward to accept this invitation. Some donated large amounts and dedicated an entire patch of plantation in memory of their loved ones. Thus, the Salesians have created a flower valley, consisting of 33 varieties of flowering plants, and two mini forests, in which, practically all the indigenous trees of the region can be found. The plantation works also provide employment over the past months for a few persons from the tribal villages of the locality.

This green venture of has presently resulted in the plantation of 7323 trees (1263 fruit trees, 375 spice plants, 4500 bamboo, 800 flowering plants, 385 forest trees). “Planting over seven thousand trees has been a significant achievement and a fulfilling experience for us” says Fr Anthony Santarita. “We want to make our campus into an educational model for ecology, as recommended by the Rector Major in his GC 28 Post-Chapter Reflection” adds Fr Santarita.

The “Season of Creation” has definitely witnessed a burst of greenery at Don Bosco Institute, Karjat. The work will continue for the next few months, with the Salesians hoping to reach a plantation of 10000 trees.

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