Patna: In an age when memories are often preserved through photographs, plaques and monuments, a farmer from Bihar’s Patna district has chosen a different path. For more than a decade, Jitendra Sharma, popularly known as “Butai Baba”, has been planting trees in memory of those who have passed away, creating what locals describe as a living museum of remembrance.
A resident of Mithapur village in Kunjwa Panchayat under Bihta block, Sharma has dedicated the past 16 years to linking environmental conservation with social memory. Whenever a villager dies, he plants a sapling in their honour and inscribes the person’s name on the tree, ensuring that future generations remember those who came before them.
A Tribute That Took Root
The idea originated after the death of Sharma’s father, Ramji Singh, in 2000.
Seeking a meaningful way to honour his father’s memory, he planted a Peepal sapling near the village. As the tree grew over the years, Sharma came to view it as a living reminder of his father rather than merely a plant.
That experience inspired him to extend the practice to others in the community.
Since then, he has planted thousands of saplings along both sides of the Maner Rajwaha Canal, creating a green corridor that stretches across the landscape.
A Living Archive Of Village History
The trees lining the canal now carry the names of hundreds of villagers, transforming the area into a unique memorial space.
Residents say walking through the avenue of trees evokes memories of parents, relatives and ancestors whose names remain etched on the trunks.
Among those commemorated are villagers including Sukhdev Singh, Shiv Kumar Singh, Sanjay Singh, Tunna Singh, Rampravesh Singh, Kailash Singh, Nanhu Singh, Dilip Singh and Bhola Singh, among many others.
For local residents, the site has acquired deep emotional significance, serving as both a community landmark and a repository of collective memory.
Honouring National Figures Through Trees
Sharma’s initiative has expanded beyond village boundaries.
Over the years, he has planted trees in memory of several prominent national leaders, public figures and cultural icons, including former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, industrialist Ratan Tata, singer Lata Mangeshkar, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, former President Pranab Mukherjee, Ram Vilas Paswan, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Mulayam Singh Yadav.
He has also commemorated artists and actors such as Irrfan Khan, Rishi Kapoor, Om Puri, Amrish Puri, Puneeth Rajkumar, Sidharth Shukla, KK and Pankaj Udhas.
According to Sharma, the most meaningful tribute is one that benefits both society and nature.
Conservation Through Community Action
Most of the trees planted by Sharma are long-living and ecologically significant species, including Peepal and Banyan trees, known for their environmental value and longevity.
Local residents and social workers say his efforts have successfully connected environmental protection with a sense of social responsibility.
“While many people speak about environmental conservation, Butai Baba has demonstrated how it can become part of everyday community life,” said Amit Kumar, Mukhiya of Kunjwa Panchayat.
Several local social workers, including Bipin Bihari, Rakesh Kumar Singh, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Medni Singh and Manish Kumar, have praised the initiative for creating public awareness about both ecology and community heritage.
An Inspiration In The Face Of Climate Challenges
Block Development Officer Shiv Janm Ram described Sharma’s work as far more than a tree-planting campaign.
“This is a remarkable example of social consciousness and environmental conservation,” he said. “At a time when the world is confronting climate change and environmental degradation, linking a person’s memory with the planting of a tree is an inspiring idea.”
For Sharma, however, the mission remains simple: ensuring that memories live on while the environment grows stronger.
What began as a tribute to a father has evolved into a lasting legacy of remembrance, community and green stewardship — one tree at a time.
