Agar seva na karein to kya karein? (If we don’t serve nature, then what should we do?) This is the question I ask myself whenever doubts linger in my mind. Unlike others, I feel that nature inherently created me for her service. How do I know this, let’s see.
Well, because nothing in this world interests me; no food, no entertainment, no activity, nothing. The only thing that brings me happiness is service, service towards nature, service towards animals. If not this, then there is nothing else in this life for me.
I have seen electrocuted monkeys. I have seen puppies shivering and dying from the cold. I have seen kittens abandoned by their mother, dying one by one. I have seen nests swarmed by ants, biting every part of a baby bird’s delicate skin. I have seen calves with rotting feet infested with maggots. I have buried countless unfortunate souls with my own hands.
But there have been moments of revival, CPR bringing back life, a blanket and a bonfire warming those suffering in the freezing cold. A bottle of milk, a piece of bread, and a comforting hug gave them security and solace. Constant monitoring helped many finally fly with freedom. A single dose of Ivermectin killed maggots, allowing them to run again. I have witnessed many open their eyes for the first time in this world.
Nature is strange. A bird builds a nest for days, lays eggs, nurtures them, and raises a baby. It works tirelessly day and night to feed that baby. Everything seems perfect, full of joy, and then suddenly, the baby falls from the nest, only to be killed by a predator. With helpless cries, the mother bird witnesses the murder of her young. And this cycle continues. Nature gives birth to millions every day, and takes away just as many. Life and death are inevitable, but the cruelty of it all is painful.
Nature is brave enough to endure such suffering, but I am not. I am weak. I cried for weeks in the bathroom after witnessing a kitten rolling on the floor, vomiting blood… and eventually dying in my arms. I wasn’t brave when I found my stray dog lying lifeless on the roadside, his body crushed. This was the same dog I had saved, the only survivor of his litter, after his siblings were killed one by one by moving cars when they were puppies. He had grown into a healthy dog, but then… I couldn’t even find a proper place to bury him. That day, I realized the dire need for a burial ground for pets and strays. I am working toward establishing one.
Today, farmers’ fields look like barren wastelands. Excessive use of pesticides and insecticides has wiped out all the beneficial creatures and bacteria. Poisonous food is deteriorating our health, slowly destroying our organs. And beyond all that, there is the menace of adulteration by the criminals of society. There is an urgent need to adopt organic farming. I cannot keep complaining—I must act. So now, I am taking steps for the well-being of Mother Earth and her soil. I am working on setting up vermicompost beds to provide compost and training to farmers.
I have purchased a piece of land and am transforming it into a treatment center for strays. This will be done under my NGO, Servants of Nature Foundation. Here is the proposed plan:
- A boundary enclosing the area, with a wide gate
- Plantation of more than 250 varieties of fruit trees, along with medicinal plants, vines, herbs, and spices
- A caretaker’s room
- A dispensary stocked with essential medicines and equipment
- An animal shelter
- A vegetable garden
- A flower garden to attract butterflies and bees
- A small nursery for growing saplings to be planted in various locations
- A tiny Miyawaki forest to support a thriving ecosystem of birds, insects, bacteria, and trees
- A pond to fulfill water requirements for the land and animals, also home to aquatic beings like fish, toads, and turtles, with lotus and water lilies adding beauty
- A cottage for myself, volunteers, and visitors
All of this will require a fortune, but I am determined. I do not need support right now, but a time will come when I will not be able to manage everything alone. When animals start arriving, I will need volunteers. This is just the beginning.
I came into this world with empty pockets, I will leave with empty pockets, but I will also make sure that I remain empty-pocketed throughout my life. My resources belong to this world alone.
That’s all for now. The website will be developed soon. If you wish to connect with me, ask questions, share feedback, suggestions, or constructive criticism, feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Would you like to become a member of this NGO? Let me know.
– Akash Mittal