FOR THE LOVE OF NATURE!

Balaganur, a remote village in Gadag district, is in the news after Dr Pradeep S Ugalat converted his 10-acre barren land into a mini-forest by spending over ₹16 lakh

- RAGHOTTAM KOPPAR @Huilgol, Gadag

DENTIST and nature lover from Gadag has turned his 10-acre dryland into a mini-forest, which is now home to many birds and animals.

The idea of creating the mini-forest hit Dr Pradeep S Ugalat, 49, during a visit to his semi-arid land at Balaganur village near Huilgol in Gadag district in 2016. When he discussed his idea with his friends, they discouraged him. They pointed out to him that lack of water on the land would not help him grow a forest and he would not get any returns for his effort.

Undeterred, Pradeep first planted thorny cactus around his land as a natural fence to prevent cattle and other animals from straying into it. Later, he brought saplings of over 100 species, including sandalwood, subabul, neem, teak and mahogany, which need less water to grow, and planted them during monsoon.