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If you want to know how a person's perseverance and love of nature have transformed a barren stretch of land in to green heaven, meet Kareem at his ‘hand – grown’ forest! He has practically proved that "where there is a will, there is a (green) way!" For him, love of nature is not just a philosophical statement: It is his breath and dream of life. While many others have wrung their hands helplessly in despair, and shied away from the monumental, never-ending work of 'growing a forest’, he has hung on long enough to create a miracle of sorts. Forts and empires have collapsed over time- but Kareem's gift to the earth will remain forever: If we don't exchange it for the concrete jungle, that is.

"Plastic bags are strictly prohibited. No eating and drinking. Walk through pathways only." No, you are not entering a zoo or wild life sanctuary, but treading into the forests Abdul Kareem, a 30 acre lush expanse which the ' man of woods’ watered and developed over the last 24 years.

An airlines ticketing agent, he always had the craze for woods in him.

In 1977, he purchased a five-acre rocky wasteland in Puliamkulam (32 kms from Nileswaram in Kasargod district, Kerala, India) and dug a huge well. And then he began ploughing savings into his dream project and adding more land and amenities. Now Kareem's forest is home to 1500 medicinal plants, 2000 varieties of trees, rare birds, animals and insects.

In a corner of his small almirah, lies a photograph. It shows Amitabh Bachchan honoring Kareem with Kapil Dev looking on. Several accolades, including UN recognition has come his way.

"While I was foiling in the rocky arid terrain people branded me as insane. My family scorned at me for spending several Lakhs on barren land. Now they realise what I was doing," says the 53-year-old environmentalist.

Fertilizers or insecticides are banned and no leaves or twigs or waste is removed from the forest for commercial purposes.

"If I sell the wastes (leaves and twigs) I can earn at least Rs.10, 000. In 1989 the World Tourist Organization wrote to me to convert the woods into a resort. Recently, a well-known resort group approached me with an offer to launch an ayurveda resort. But I declined these offers," he says.

All nature- lovers, particularly students, are welcome here. He is ready to teach and in case of doubts, he rushes to agricultural scientists, who are regular visitors here. And he has no hesitation in giving plants and seeds to the needy for free.

"I wanted to spread the message that only if trees, animals and birds survive, human beings will have a future," Kareem says.

He has nothing but aversion towards those who cut trees in the name of development.

"Dams and reservoirs will not solve the problem of water scarcity. Thy only provide momentary relief at the cost of the earth. Plantation is not the answer. Growing plantation crops is nothing but exploitation of nature," he says.

Though he has passed only his higher secondary school, Kareem is a born botanist.

He can give you a brief lecture on sandalwood trees, medicinal qualities of kanni konna (casiapistula) or importance of maruthu.

"I have lost count of how much I invested in here. But I am glad this is my biggest investment for the next generation." he says.

Kareem is here to help people, who want to know more about trees and plants at: kareemforest@homenetmail.com

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