Kalpana Thakur’s green Rakshabandan in Manali inspires tree plantation drive
Photo used for indicative purpose only. source: Internet
Shimla, Aug 9,
Amidst the celebrations of Rakshabandhan, a festival symbolising the sacred bond between brother and sister, Manali’s Kalpana Thakur once again upheld her unique tradition — tying Rakhi to a 17-year-old deodar tree she planted as a child. The gesture, she says, is both personal and environmental, a reminder of the life-saving role trees play in Himachal Pradesh’s fragile mountain ecology.
On Saturday, Kalpana arrived at Aleu Bihal after the auspicious time for the ritual, accompanied by her father, national award-winning environmentalist Kishan Thakur. After offering prayers, she tied Rakhi to the towering deodar, which she had planted at the age of three. “This tree is like my brother. I have nurtured it since childhood and will protect it all my life,” she said. She also planted a fresh sapling at the site, marking yet another bond for the future.
Kalpana, originally from Muling village in Lahaul-Spiti, believes that trees are vital for preventing soil erosion and landslides, disasters that Himachal has faced with increasing frequency during monsoons. “Roots not only hold the soil together but also give shade, shelter, and oxygen. Every citizen should plant and protect trees,” she added.
This year’s Rakshabandhan also saw other eco-friendly initiatives in the state. In Kullu district, the presiding deity of Parvati Valley, Mata Chaugasana (Mata Parvati), performed a royal bath at Jiya, the confluence of the Beas and Parvati rivers, in keeping with centuries-old Dev tradition. Hundreds of devotees took a holy dip alongside Mata, who had travelled from Chaung village with her entourage of Hariyansand temple workers.
Meanwhile, trainees at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) celebrated the festival in the Jard forest by planting trees and tying Rakhis to them. They pledged to nurture and protect these saplings, sending a strong message of environmental stewardship.
In a state where flash floods, landslides, and soil erosion have become recurring threats, these symbolic acts carry a deeper meaning. Himachal Pradesh is currently reeling under the impact of heavy monsoon rains, with experts stressing the role of dense vegetation in mitigating natural calamities.
For Kalpana, the Rakhi on her deodar is more than a ritual — it’s a lifelong promise. “In these challenging times, protecting nature is protecting life itself,” she said, her words echoing a truth that the mountains have long known.
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