Guwahati: In an era of rapid urbanization, 59-year-old Uttam Kumar Das, a Chief Commercial Clerk with the Indian Railways, has spent nearly two decades spearheading a quiet but impactful environmental movement. Driven by a sense of duty toward his community and the environment, Das has dedicated his personal time and savings to planting thousands of trees across various regions in Assam and beyond.
His journey began in 2007, and his professional career has taken him to multiple stations, including Rangia, Barpeta, Jogighopa, and Hashimara. At each stop, he worked to rehabilitate neglected railway land by introducing greenery. While early attempts faced challenges due to harsh weather and lack of maintenance, Das refined his approach by turning his own railway quarters into a makeshift nursery. By nurturing saplings until they reached a height of ten feet before transplantation, he significantly increased the survival rate of his plants.
Das's commitment has garnered widespread respect and official recognition. In 2025, the Divisional Railway Manager of Rangia formally honored him for his selfless contributions to ecological preservation. This success has fostered a collaborative relationship between Das, the Forest Department, and the Railways, which now provide him with additional saplings to scale his efforts. Supported by his family, Das continues his environmental work with the same discipline that has defined his career, proving that individual dedication can lead to lasting change.
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