By Ashee Sharma
2024.07.17 (Vrindavan Today News): The sweetness of Braj and Krishna Bhakti that are non-different from each other, attract millions to Vrindavan. While a few come here to seek something in return, a larger number comprises those desiring to give their all to this land. Among the many ways of serving Braj-Vrindavan, perhaps the most pleasing to the Lord is the service rendered to his abode, without the elements of which, all his divine pastimes are inconceivable. As the voice of Braj, Vrindavan Today along with its sister concern and environmental NGO ‘Friends of Vrindavan’ has been at the forefront of environmental conservation in the pilgrimage town. Over the decades we have had the good fortune to interact and associate with many like-minded devotees and activists, and through this editorial venture of ours we seek to bring their work to light, not only to create awareness, but also opportunities that could help in furthering their noble efforts. Here is an exclusive interview with Delhi-based devotee and green activist, Padmavati Dwivedi. Padmavati Dwivedi has done Masters in Social work from Andhra University. After a brief stint as a human resource professional, she has been actively engaged in protection of urban trees for more than a decade. She has worked with Chandigarh Police on the Green Police project and is currently engaged as a consultant with WWF-India leading tree walks. Padmavati is a project-director for an ecological restoration project in Barsana.
Edited excerpts
Tell us about your association with Vrindavan. How did it begin, and evolve over time?
I began visiting Vrindavan with family every Kartik for more than 13 years due to my association with ISKCON. I loved the serene atmosphere here. My God brothers, Upendra Das and Radha Sevak Das would show me around this beautiful place, and
I would return to Delhi with a longing to be back.
I carried back memories of cycle-rickshaw pullers greeting everyone Radhe! Radhe! I loved this greeting and would recount to my Delhi friends what a pleasant way it was to manoeuvre the traffic compared to the jarring noisy horns. My son Wav was very young then, so we would spend time at the gaushala, feeding cows. We both always preferred walking barefoot from the entrance, enjoying the feel of the soft sand.
The first ride on Yamuna was beautiful; water was cleaner and so were the banks. I particularly liked the quaint little old homes amidst gardens and hoped one day I could get a better view than what I could see then through the narrow gates. My favourite place to visit is Tatiya Sthan. I am in awe of their resolve to conserve this place.
Please detail the work and initiatives you have undertaken in Vrindavan.
I was introduced to Jagannadh Poddarji by Akash Vashisht, an environment activist from Delhi. I visited Friends of Vrindavan office and learnt about the various projects they were doing, and that’s when I realized that there is chance for me to serve this land that I have grown so fond of. Since I am very passionate about environmental causes and have also gained some expertise in this area, it was natural to extend support in this field.
The first attempt was to grow Memory trees; I supported FOV in planting some. I liked the way Poddarji maintained these trees. When I enquired couple of years later, he took me around and showed me the trees. He was always affectionate and shared my concern for environmental issues plaguing Braj.
I am very happy to be working currently on Project Vanamali at Barsana with the support of Mataji Gaushala and a team of friends and well wishers.
What according to you are the main concerns regarding nature conservation in Vrindavan/Braj?
The top most issue is terrible planning. I don’t want to use the word city planning or town planning, as Vrindavan was never meant to be one. That’s where things seem to have gone completely out of hand. It should have been preserved as a village where Lord Krishna lived.
Today, constructions of all kinds have run amok, leaving little room for nature conservation due to the pressures of urbanisation. The pilgrimage is being destroyed to make way for a tourist destination that appeals to people who can pay for more materialistic comforts.
The only way nature can be conserved now is to fence away large tracts of land and restore the original landscape. This is a work that must be done with lot of understanding of conservation; it cannot be left to town planners or engineers who are taught to construct with cement and steel. Nature conservation is not about creating horticultural parks or cement lined tanks. The responsibility should be given to people who are interested and have experience in ecology and re-wilding. It can only happen if authorities themselves have experienced real conservation work elsewhere, like those done by Pradip Krishenji and my ecology friends at Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi and Gurugram.
What do you think is the main reason behind the issues plaguing Vrindavan? Where does the solution lie?
This space should have been better planned from the beginning. It is completely fragmented now, and to piece it together as one whole has become an impossible task. While we have monuments like Qutub Minar and Bahai Temple right in the city with large well maintained spaces around their walled compounds, it is sad that there is no such space in Lord Krishna’s Vrindavan. The old glory can be preserved and restored if people understand that nature is about rocks, birds, bees, water, butterflies, frogs, fishes, reptiles, grasses, climbers, trees and shrubs. It is not buildings, walls, cement, steel and man-made materials. True conservation in this holy land can only happen if we understand this fundamental difference.
How forthcoming have the authorities been?
Even though I have not interacted with authorities in Vrindavan much, I am honoured to have the association of Shri Shailjakant Misraji of UPBTVP. He is a remarkable human being. With his blessings we could plant at Giriraj and Vrinda Kund this year. It was a big moment for me to plant at both these places; my ‘Janm dhanya hogaya’ moment!
Has the local community been supportive in this regard? Are they even aware of these concerns and keen on addressing them?
Again, I haven’t had the opportunity to interact much with local communities either, but the Mataji Gaushala team, Braj Sharan Maharajji, Mrs and Mr Chandramohanji and the local community who work at the Gaushala are immensely supportive of our work. We are grateful that they extend so much help and believe in us.
Beyond activism, is there more to your bonding with Vrindavan? What inspires you to work for it?
Every time I visit Vrindavan, I cry; I don’t know why! When I stand in front of the Lord in ISKCON, I beg Him to help me conserve this land. I ask Him to please give me a chance so that I can re-create those images I see in His pastimes. I feel so sad that the Vrindavan that I hear stories of doesn’t seem to exist any longer, and with each trip I make, I realise its only receding into oblivion. I can hardly call myself a devotee when I compare myself to those around me. I feel quiet inferior in that area, but I have this burning desire to restore the forests such that devotees visiting these spaces (not parks) should immediately see Him performing His Lilas. I do not know if my desire is right or wrong on a spiritual plane; let Him decide.
