Forest Deptt to help Chitampalli fulfil his dreams
| Date :28-Oct-2020 |
Team of officials of Forest Department greeting Maruti Chitampalli at his residence.
By Vikas Vaidya :
Milind Mhaiskar sends his team of officials to welcome Aranyavrati Chitampalli at his residence at Solapur
Maruti Chitampalli during his association with Forest Department as an employee developed an acquaintance with the wildlife and ecology. He got so engrossed in forest that prompted him to write books on the themes related to flora and fauna. His books are not flooded with information on forest, they have literary values too. Chitampalli has never expected any kind of support from anybody. While his association was growing with the forest, he planned some projects, decided to conduct research, but those remained incomplete.
Milind Mhaiskar
Now he wants to complete those, after retirement and after shifting to Solapur. Responding to his zeal, Forest Department came forward, showed willingness to provide assistance whenever and whatever he needs. Milind Mhaiskar, Principal Secretary of Department of Forest and Environment, himself an ardent wildlife-lover sent a team of forest officials to the residence of Chitampalli and assured this ‘Aranyavrati’ that his own department would be with him in his research. Chitampalli lived his most life in Nagpur and Bhandara. Last week, he has decided to move to Solapur, his native place. He lived away from Solapur all these years but now he felt he should spend his time there.
After reaching Solapur he expressed his desire to complete his dream projects like ‘Pranikosh’, ‘Matsyakosh’, ‘Vishwakosh’. All these projects require research, some resources. Mhaiskar who took the charge of Forest department two months ago, sent the team of his officials to Chitampalli’s place with an assurance of support.
“Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also supported this initiative and has asked us to go ahead with the plan with Government’s backing,” informs Mhaiskar. “I have love for forest and during my stay at Nagpur on several occasions I visited Sahitya Prasar Kendra wherefrom buying books penned by Chitampalli-- ‘Pakshi Jai Digantara’ Janglacha Dena’ and others I used to read. I found unique qualities in Chitampalli then and there,” stated Mhaiskar. Mhaiskar is associated with Chitampalli on 2-3 counts. Mhaiskar is reader of Chitampalli’s books, now he is Principal Secretary of Department of Forest wherein Chitampalli worked. Third and foremost important is native place of Mhaiskar and Chitampalli is common-- Solapur.
Forest Deptt to celebrate Bird Week Forest Department wants to highlight the contribution of Maruti Chitampalli, its own ex-officer and it is evident as the Department published his photo along with that of Padmavibhushan Dr Salim Ali on its logo, specially prepared for the celebration of Bird Week. Forest Minister Sanjay Rathod himself has taken initiative in that regard. It will be held between November 5 and 12. The logo that the department prepared has photos of Padmavibhushan Dr Salim Ali, known for his expertise in birds all over the world and Maruti Chitampalli. The Department chose the date as birth day of Chitampalli falls on November 5 and birth anniversary of Dr Salim Ali comes on November 12. Now onwards this week will be celebrated every year on these days. During the week drawing competitions, essay contests, photo exhibitions, workshops explaining the minute things about this tiny living organism, would be held at school-level and at Government offices too. Programmes like bird-watching, census of birds, study of birds would be organised. The participation of the agencies like department of water resources, agriculture and police which play an important role in the conservation and protection of birds, would be ensured.