Patna: There's a village in Bihar that is greener than many others because it celebrates the birth of girl children by planting saplings.
And now Dharhara is counting the number of girls born and the trees planted in the last 100 years — in a symbolic move against female foeticide.
"We have been collecting information about every girl child born in the village to compile the genealogical table. It is a matter of pride for us that Dharhara village has become a role model for gender equality," Nagender Singh, a village resident, said.
Another villager, Ramesh Prasad, in his mid-40s, said the decision to compile the data reaffirms "our commitment of happiness towards the birth of the girl child in the village".
Unique
Dharhara, a small village in Bhagalpur district, got worldwide attention a few years back for its unique tradition.
"We don't feel sorry when a girl is born; instead we celebrate by planting a tree. All villagers are helping in compiling the data to count the number of girl children born and trees planted on their birth. We are trying to obtain the genealogical table of all families," he said.
CM impressed
Singh says by compiling the data, they could also possibly ascertain when the tradition of planting saplings started.
"It will be a documentation to establish the tradition of protecting the girl child and we will count trees planted till now, a valuable green resource of the village," he said.
Prasad says according to the practice, every family in the village plants at least 10 trees whenever a girl is born. The practice has paid off well as Dharhara now makes other villages look pale in comparison to its greenery.
Empowerment
The village impressed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last year with its initiative, which symbolises the empowerment of women and the protection of the environment in a unique way.
The chief minister had lauded the village and dubbed it as a role model for other villages.
It is estimated that there are over 20,000 trees in the village. The fruit trees have helped the village economically, bringing it considerable earnings.
And now Dharhara is counting the number of girls born and the trees planted in the last 100 years — in a symbolic move against female foeticide.
"We have been collecting information about every girl child born in the village to compile the genealogical table. It is a matter of pride for us that Dharhara village has become a role model for gender equality," Nagender Singh, a village resident, said.
Another villager, Ramesh Prasad, in his mid-40s, said the decision to compile the data reaffirms "our commitment of happiness towards the birth of the girl child in the village".
Unique
Dharhara, a small village in Bhagalpur district, got worldwide attention a few years back for its unique tradition.
"We don't feel sorry when a girl is born; instead we celebrate by planting a tree. All villagers are helping in compiling the data to count the number of girl children born and trees planted on their birth. We are trying to obtain the genealogical table of all families," he said.
CM impressed
Singh says by compiling the data, they could also possibly ascertain when the tradition of planting saplings started.
"It will be a documentation to establish the tradition of protecting the girl child and we will count trees planted till now, a valuable green resource of the village," he said.
Prasad says according to the practice, every family in the village plants at least 10 trees whenever a girl is born. The practice has paid off well as Dharhara now makes other villages look pale in comparison to its greenery.
Empowerment
The village impressed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last year with its initiative, which symbolises the empowerment of women and the protection of the environment in a unique way.
The chief minister had lauded the village and dubbed it as a role model for other villages.
It is estimated that there are over 20,000 trees in the village. The fruit trees have helped the village economically, bringing it considerable earnings.
