By Irudhaya Jothi
Mirga, June 7, 2026: With tiny hands clutching saplings, Santal tribal children turned World Environment Day into a lesson in hope, planting young trees on the grounds of Shanti Sadan Mirga, a Jesuit-run institution in West Bengal’s Bankura district, about 200 kilometers west of Kolkata.
The children, aged 5 to 10, are first-generation school-goers from remote villages in Midnapur, Purulia, and Barddhaman districts. Their parents work as daily wage earners, but at Shanti Sadan Mirga the children board, receive tutoring, and grow up surrounded by greenery.
Abhishek Murmu, 8, a third grader, reflected on the changes he sees around him. “It is getting hotter every day and we have fewer trees to protect us. We need oxygen to survive, and trees give us this — that is why we are planting them.”
Adding her voice, Moupriya Hansda, 10, a fourth grader, emphasized the urgency in her own words. “Gaach lagao, pran bachao” (Plant trees and save lives). “The environment is being destroyed and we want to save it for our survival.”
Echoing that sense of hope, Sujit Hembram, 10, also in Class Four, spoke about the lasting impact of their efforts. “We are happy to have planted a tree today — it will stand here for years to come and tell our story.”
The Santals, one of South Asia’s largest tribal communities, are known for their deep connection to forests and hills. Even at a young age, this respect for nature is evident.
“They rarely harm trees or saplings,” said a Jesuit teacher, noting that many prefer green clothing and simple, naturally colored homes.
The sapling drive was modest but meaningful, reflecting both tradition and urgency. Rising temperatures and harsher winters have made climate action unavoidable.
“Planting trees may seem small, but it teaches children they have a role in conservation,” said another organizer.
Green legacy in Bankura
Shanti Sadan Mirga was founded in 1980 by Jesuit Father Aloysious Carvalho, who died recently at 97.
Today, six Jesuits continue his mission through three institutions in Bankura district. Mangal Deep Ashram at Jhantipahari, established in 2004, and Loyola Jayanti Vidhyapeet in Bankura town, founded in 1990, also serve tribal children.
The Jesuit centers emphasize education rooted in environmental awareness. “Our green campus is not just a backdrop—it is part of the children’s learning,” said a Jesuit staff member.
The World Environment Day observance ended with children planting saplings in a spirit of joy and seriousness. Their laughter mixed with determination, symbolizing both care for the earth and hope for the future.
As one teacher reflected, “This is more than an event. It is about shaping a generation that knows whose environment it is, and why it must be protected.”
(Photo supplied)
*This story has been updated.