Patna: Dharmendra Kumar, a homeopathic practitioner, is not just healing patients with affordable treatments but is also dedicated to a mission of reviving traditional trees like peepal, neem, and tulsi. His initiative, Peepal, Neem, and Tulsi Abhiyan, spans across Patna, other districts, and even extends to Nepal and Bhutan, urging communities to plant these trees to conserve the environment.
“I believe every household must contribute to creating a natural oxygen bank. Peepal, neem, and tulsi are priceless treasures that can help restore the ecological balance we have disrupted,” Dharmendra shared.
Early Life and Inspiration
Born on February 15, 1962, in Hamidpur Teri, a small village in Arwal, Dharmendra grew up in a humble family. His grandfather was a farmer, and his father worked in the telephone department. During his college years in Patna, Dharmendra became deeply aware of the environmental damage caused by human activity. “In my third year of college, I realized how essential clean air, water, and food are, and how much we had harmed these natural resources,” he said.
This awareness fueled his passion for environmental activism. Initially, Dharmendra decided to remain unmarried to focus entirely on his mission. However, under family pressure, he married Madhu Bharti in 1994. After her passing from cancer in 2015, Dharmendra, now a single parent, continues his work while raising his two children—his son, Dharam Deepak, a lawyer, and his daughter, Pallavi, a BTech graduate.
Key Initiatives
Dharmendra has launched several impactful projects, including:
Neem Corridor: Initiated in 2022, this project aims to plant 1,000 neem trees along the Ganga Path in Patna to enhance greenery and combat pollution.
Bodhi Tree Corridor: Connecting Rajgir, Bodh Gaya, and Lumbini (Nepal), this initiative highlights the historical significance of these regions. In 2019, Dharmendra planted a Bodhi tree in Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace, as a gesture of peace and environmental harmony.
Raising Awareness
Dharmendra actively conducts foot marches across India and neighboring countries, promoting the planting of sacred trees. “We organized marches from Gaya to Rajgir and from Lumbini to Bodh Gaya, planting saplings every 500 meters,” he explained.
Through street plays, cultural events, and grassroots campaigns, he involves local communities in environmental conservation efforts. His contributions have been recognized with the Paryavaran Yodha Samman (Environmental Warrior Award), which he has bestowed on over 500 individuals for their dedication to preserving nature.
Dharmendra Kumar’s work exemplifies how one person’s dedication can inspire global environmental awareness and action. His efforts continue to inspire many to contribute to a greener and healthier planet.
