Join us as we delve into the mind of a true changemaker, whose life and work are a beacon of light, guiding us towards a more harmonious and equitable world.
By Rusen Kumar
In the landscape of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ethical impact, certain individuals and organizations emerge as beacons of change and innovation, helping to reshape societal structures and foster a more equitable and sustainable future. One such distinguished individual is Hanuman Dass, the Founder and Chairman of Go Dharmic, an organization at the pinnacle of altruistic and compassionate community initiatives in India.
Go Dharmic is synonymous with ethical and humanitarian values, emphasizing holistic development, environmental conservation, and the empowerment of underprivileged sections of society. It is driven by the Dharmic values of kindness, integrity, and service, aiming to create a world where compassion and sustainability are not mere ideals but are interwoven into the fabric of our communities.
Hanuman Dass’s commitment to transforming lives and societies through ethical and sustainable practices has made him a respected figure in the realm of CSR in India. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and ethical action, and his insights provide a deep understanding of the role of CSR in building resilient and inclusive communities.
In this exclusive interview, we explore the inspirational journey of Hanuman Dass, gaining insights into his visionary approach, the profound impact of his initiatives, and his perspectives on the evolving paradigm of CSR in India.
Excerpts:
Origins and Goals
Mission
Q1. Can you briefly explain what inspired the creation of ‘The Dharma Forest’ project and how it aligns with Go Dharmic’s overall mission?
Go Dharmic was founded to protect and facilitate the welfare of all living beings. Through 10,000 volunteers globally, we have created a movement for compassionate action across six major campaign areas: poverty, environment, education & skill development, health & sanitation, disaster relief, and advocacy. The Dharma Forest was born out of a deep commitment to our environment, local communities, animal welfare, and our planet’s safety.
Seeing the critical importance of restoring and conserving natural ecosystems, especially the Sundarban mangrove wetlands, it inspired us to create a wetlands forest. We called the mangrove plantation effort the “Dharma Forest.” because it signifies our team’s dharmic commitment to distribute and embody love. The initiative is an expression of the principles of dharma, such as ahimsa (non-harming) as an active principle – to not only do no harm but actually safeguard and encourage the flourishing of all beings.
The Sundarbans region, situated along the coastal areas, faces critical challenges due to regular floods and cyclones. These natural disasters not only displace the local population but also render them jobless and cause the loss of valuable agricultural land productivity due to water salinity.
In response to these challenges, the Go Dharmic team initiated a flood relief effort in 2020-2021 by distributing thousands of ration kits to the affected population. However, recognizing the need for a sustainable solution, the project has transitioned towards mangrove plantations in the region as a long-term strategy to mitigate floods, cyclones, and river embankment erosion.
It perfectly aligns with Go Dharmic’s overarching mission, which is to promote sustainable living practices, environmental conservation, animal protection, and human flourishing. The Dharma Forest is a lasting manifestation of this mission. It captures our dedication to preserving the environment and making a positive impact on our planet.
Strategy
Q2. You have a goal to plant two million mangroves by 2026. What is your strategy to achieve this, and how do you plan to involve your partners?
Our strategy is comprehensive and collaborative. We’ve established a dedicated mangrove nursery in the Sundarbans to cultivate mangrove saplings from seeds. Once these saplings grow to heights of between 60 and 90 centimeters, which typically takes 3 or 4 months, they are transplanted across choice sites in Gosaba, Basanti, and Canning in West Bengal.
Local communities are at the heart of this initiative, with families and locals engaged to plant and nurture these young trees. It is a wonderful way of reconnecting with nature and having a sense of purpose that reflects a long-term good for their local community and our planet as a whole.
We purchase seeds when needed, but prefer to gather local volunteers and employ underprivileged women, facilitating their empowerment, to gather and collect fallen mangrove sapling seeds and then bring them back to be planted in our nurseries. This increases the chance of the mangroves growing healthy and strong.
We also receive support from local organizations, which multiplies our productivity and allows for groups to experience a deep connection with the land and the biodiversity. We even had the West Bengal government Forest Department come and visit our plantations. Our combined efforts harness the power of community involvement and government collaboration to achieve our ambitious goal.
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Environmental Impact and Challenges
Biodiversity Conservation
Q3. What unique challenges does the Sundarban mangrove forest face, and how does your project specifically address these issues?
The Sundarbans is a very delicate, yet vital, location. The region has been repeatedly hit by multiple environmental problems brought about by climate change. With rising temperatures and flooding, the area has suffered habitat loss, and destruction of wildlife, and cost many locals their livelihoods.
It is susceptible to intensified cyclones, floods, and coast damage due to climate change. These environmental changes threaten the delicate ecosystem and endangering various species. There are also many villages and communities that have been affected by climate change and many more at risk. The Dharma Forest project seeks to meet and address these challenges by restoring mangrove habitats and supporting the local communities and the local wildlife.
Mangroves are a particularly powerful and holistic natural defence. They act as natural flood barriers, water filters, and carbon sinkholes. They can defend against further weather disasters, protecting both coastline communities and local wildlife. Our project aims to reestablish these vital ecosystems to shield coastal communities from disaster and to ensure the survival of countless plant and animal species. We must show compassion to our global neighbors and the diversity of beautiful life across our world.
Climate Change
Q4. Can you discuss the significance of mangrove forests in terms of CO2 sequestration and how this impacts global climate change?
Mangrove forests are essential for CO2 sequestration. They are beautiful trees that are one of the most powerful carbon sponges. They are a critical element in mitigating global climate change, whilst also protecting and encouraging biodiversity among animal and plant life. These forests have an exceptional capacity to absorb, store, and transform carbon, which helps to regulate atmospheric levels.
One square mile of mangrove forest can absorb as much carbon as the annual emissions of a thousand cars. The best part is, that as the trees grow, they absorb more carbon. And, as we are planting more all the time, the CO2 sequestration will only exponentially increase. By restoring the Sundarbans mangrove forest through the Dharma Forest project, we are contributing to the fight against climate change on a significant scale.
Tree Plantation
Q5. How do you ensure the sustainability of the mangrove trees that have been planted? What measures are in place to protect them from climate change-related adversities like intensified cyclones and floods?
To ensure sustainability and maximize the environmental benefit of the planted mangrove trees, we’ve implemented several measures. First, we cultivate the saplings in a sustainable manner at our GD nursery, using plastic-free methods like repurposing old clay tea cups to grow the saplings. These are tendered for several months until they are strong enough to be replanted in choice areas where they will help protect the coastlines and encourage biodiversity.
This means they are more likely to be able to survive any local threats. Second, we have local volunteers in every plantation location who regularly monitor the trees’ growth. Our careful monitoring and protection efforts aim to increase the survival rate of these trees. Third, the actual locations where the trees are replanted after they have matured in our nursery are selected to carefully balance the survival of the tree and maximize the environmental benefits of them being planted.
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Community Engagement
Mangrove Restoration
Q6. Can you tell us more about your work with the local communities? How are they involved in the mangrove restoration initiative?
Our work with local communities is a cornerstone of the Dharma Forest project. We engage with families in the vicinity to participate in the mangrove restoration initiative. They are directly involved in planting and nurturing the saplings, creating a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment and local community.
Moreover, within our plantations, we typically have 35 local women employed in nursery activities. For most, this is the first time they have had their own income and offers them confidence and control over their own finances. This additional income is also transformative for the families, giving them further financial security. We believe holistic strategies are optimal for maximizing Go Dharmic’s impact and fulfilling our core mission. Through this strategy, we can protect our environment, empower women, and support vulnerable communities and wildlife.
Furthermore, each village designates multiple families to care for the saplings throughout the year. This engagement not only provides livelihood opportunities but also empowers these communities to contribute actively to environmental conservation.
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Educational Role and Partnerships
Education and Awareness
Q7. You mentioned the Dharma Forest as a model for future generations and a valuable educational resource. Can you share more about how you are utilizing this project for education and awareness?
Fundamentally, the forest should be a source of love and compassion – encouraging community engagement, connection with nature and wildlife, and fostering a sense of unity between local communities for universal prosperity. It is a way of celebrating and respecting our world and our global human family.
By using local volunteers and employing locals, they are acquainted, firsthand, with the damage that can be done to the environment and the severity of the consequences. They also get to see some of the ways of mitigating and reducing the likelihood of such damage. By giving local families the responsibility of monitoring and tending the forest, we introduce a long-term relationship between the forest and the local community.
We believe that education, awareness, and first-hand experience are vital in fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Schools, colleges, and individuals are invited to participate in the project, learning about the importance of mangrove forests and the role they play in combating climate change. We collaborate with corporate and philanthropic partners to amplify our impact, which gives them direct experience with the challenges our environment faces and the solutions. This gives them the tools to be environmentally responsible.
Philanthropic Partnerships
Q8. Can you provide insights into how corporate and philanthropic partnerships are aiding your project’s goals?
Corporate and philanthropic partnerships are integral to our project’s success. By joining forces with like-minded organizations, we can leverage their local resources and expertise to expand our results. These partnerships provide the necessary funding, technology, and logistical support to accelerate the planting of mangroves and amplify our conservation message.
Working together, we create a collective force for positive change, which benefits the environment, local communities, and the planet. It also brings our partners more closely into the community. They are not only a source for love and peace, but they get to feel it and take part in it. I truly believe that when we help others, we are also illuminated. The act of giving raises us up.
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Progress and Future Plans
Nature Conservation
Q9. What progress has been made since the inception of the project, and what impact do you believe it has had on the Sundarbans and its local communities?
Since the inception of the project, we have reached phenomenal milestones that inspire others to be moved by love. We’ve planted over 200,000 trees, transformed more than 100 hectares of land, and several mangrove nurseries with thousands of saplings have been developed.
We estimate that 15,000 locals have been positively impacted by our environmental projects. The trees already planted have improved soil quality, encouraged plant and animal life, and helped start to reduce the chances of, and devastation caused by flooding. Our efforts have not only contributed to environmental restoration but have also empowered individuals, particularly women, to play an active role in conservation.
Climate Change Mitigation Strategies
Q10. Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for the Dharma Forest and how do you see this project influencing global climate change mitigation strategies?
Looking ahead, our long-term goals for the Dharma Forest project are ambitious and far-reaching. We envision the project serving as a model for climate change mitigation and ecosystem restoration on a global scale. We intend it to be a project that not only benefits the Sundarbans but influences and encourages communities around the world.
By demonstrating the effectiveness of mangrove restoration in sequestering carbon and protecting coastal communities, we hope to influence climate change mitigation strategies worldwide. The Dharma Forest will continue to educate, inspire, and mobilise individuals and organizations towards sustainable living practices and environmental stewardship. As we grow and evolve, our project will remain a beacon of hope and action on the issue of climate change, preserving the Sundarbans and safeguarding the future of our planet.
The Dharma Forest will be a lasting and tangible expression of Go Dharmic and the power of love and compassion that lies in all human hearts.
(Copyright@India CSR)
