“Trees are life. Plant one tree, and postpone the day of destruction…”

These words are not just a slogan for 69-year-old Dinabandhu Behera—they are the philosophy that guides his life.

On the back of his green Luna scooter, above the number plate, a white board carries a message written in blue letters along with his address. Below it, the registration number appears in the Odia script. One reflects his love for nature, the other his pride in his mother tongue. But the most striking thing about him is that he himself has become a moving symbol of environmental awareness.

His scooter is green. His shirt is green. The towel wrapped around his head is green. And on that towel is written his life’s mission:

“Trees are life. Plant one tree, and postpone the day of destruction.”

A green messenger on a lifelong mission

At a tree plantation programme organised by ‘Prameya’ at the Panchayat office of Pradhan Sahi in Jatani, an unusual visitor caught everyone’s attention. He was Dinabandhu Behera from Barkuda village—a nature lover known among many as a true “tree friend.

When he arrived and opened his bag, people were surprised to see it filled not with personal belongings but with tools of his mission—a sickle, cutter, spade, shovel, and other equipment needed for planting and caring for trees.

His vehicle had already revealed a part of his identity, but the story behind his passion was far more inspiring. After spending time with him and learning about his journey, one realisation became clear: some people do not simply protect nature; they dedicate their entire lives to it.

57 years of planting life

Since 1969, Dinabandhu has been planting trees without pause. For nearly 57 years, he has travelled across Odisha, planting what he believes are gifts for future generations.

According to him, he has planted more than one lakh trees across the state. He does not wait for invitations or recognition. Whenever he hears about a plantation drive, he reaches the spot with his tools and saplings. Whether someone calls him or not, whether anyone notices him or not, his mission continues.

Along with his wife Kuni and son, who also share his passion for greenery, he regularly travels to different parts of Odisha—from Puri to Kendrapara, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Baripada, and nearby villages—to plant trees.

In Bhubaneswar and its surroundings, many people see him during morning and evening hours caring for plants or planting new saplings. Mango, neem, bael, amla, karanja, tamarind, and many other varieties find a place through his efforts. He plants them along riverbanks, empty lands, hills, and wherever he feels a tree can grow.

He spends his own money to buy saplings. There is no fixed support or financial assistance behind his work. His reward is simply seeing a tree grow.

A voice for the environment

Dinabandhu’s mission is not limited to planting trees. He travels from village to village, singing songs and spreading awareness about protecting nature. Through his simple words and actions, he encourages people to understand the importance of trees and the environment.

His dedication has earned him appreciation and recognition in many places. But for him, awards are secondary. The real achievement is watching a small sapling turn into a tree that provides shade, oxygen, and life.

The mother who planted the dream

Behind Dinabandhu’s decades-long journey lies a childhood memory.

He remembers his mother, the late Geli Behera, who used to plant fruit trees behind their home. Watching her care for those trees planted the first seed of love for nature in his heart.

“Today, I plant trees in memory of my mother and for the protection of Mother Earth,” he says.

Though his mother is no longer alive to witness his work, he believes her inspiration continues to give him strength.

The energy people admire in him at the age of 69, he says, is the blessing of his mother.

Once a small snack shop owner supporting his family, Dinabandhu has now handed over those responsibilities to his son and devoted himself completely to the cause of greenery.

With every sapling he plants and every song he sings, he leaves behind a message for the world:

Protect trees, protect life.