How a young man's commitment to nature in Tetulia won him a national award

Every now and then, a young man is seen riding a worn-out bicycle through the villages of Tetulia. On the carrier of his cycle, he carries tree saplings and storybooks. He often stops in random places to give the saplings, and goes from village to village lending out books. 

Sometimes, he gathers village children under the open sky and holds storytelling sessions. And that's not all— whenever he sees garbage along the way, he stops and cleans it up with his own hands.

This is Mahmudul Islam Mamun. He was born in the village of Aziznagar in Tetulia. His father had a government job, but the family also owned several plots of farmland. As a child, he would watch his parents working hard every day. Growing up around farming, he doesn't even remember when exactly his heart became deeply connected with nature— it just happened.

"Many used to ask me, 'What do you get from doing all this?" I could not answer them before. It's true, I don't get anything material. But this award will be an answer this time. They will know that the state has recognised me." … Mahmudul Islam Mamun

In his childhood, Mahmudul's favourite game was planting trees in the yard. He also loved feeding birds. While his school friends spent money on snacks, Mahmudul saved his tiffin money to buy saplings. Not for himself— he planted them all around the neighbourhood.

That's how Mahmudul's journey began. Back then, many people called him crazy. The good thing is, he never stopped his so-called 'craziness'. It spread beyond his village and reached the whole area. Along the way, he also started working to protect the environment and set up free reading programs for children.

After a lifelong dedication to trees and children's development, Mahmudul has now received national recognition. For his contribution to nature and environmental conservation, the government has awarded him the National Environment Award 2024 in the individual category.

In 2013, Mahmudul got admitted to college. Back then, he would often return home carrying tree saplings and later distribute them around the area on his bicycle. Mahmudul shared that he has always consciously avoided luxury throughout his life. That's why he chose a bicycle as his mode of transport. Even today, that same bicycle remains his main companion in all his work.

After finishing his household chores, he sets out early in the morning to the villages. His bicycle carries books and tree saplings. He goes from village to village, handing out books. Once the children finish reading, he collects the books and gives them new ones. He also stays engaged in farming, taking care of the tea garden, fish farming in the pond, and looking after animals and birds at home. In the afternoon, he heads out again to the villages. That's how his days go by. And in between, he spends a good amount of time with the village children.

As a student, reading Pather Panchali inspired Mahmudul to study literature. He completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees in Bengali Language and Literature from Carmichael College. After that, he returned to his village and took it upon himself to encourage others to read— a responsibility he now carries with pride.

He goes around the village and arranges storytelling sessions for children. He reads stories to them himself and also lends them books to read. Under the open sky, he has named this little school of stories— 'Akashtolar Pathshala', meaning 'school beneath the sky'.

Mahmudul shared that he also teaches children good manners. "I see many changes in them. No one in the area hunts birds anymore. And they are very eager to read books. They finish the books within a week and then ask, 'Please give us more books," he said.

He has a 'library of nature' at his own home. This round-shaped library is made of bamboo and palm leaves. He buys books with his own money for the library. Every morning, he opens the library, and anyone who wants can come and read there.

Mahmudul now grows tree saplings himself. He sets aside the afternoons for this work. From morning till evening, he spends his time surrounded by nature and children.

Mahmudul is unmarried and has no plans to marry anytime soon. He says that if he starts a family, it will become difficult for him to continue his work outside. So, for now, he is not thinking about it.

The saplings he planted earlier have now grown big. They are bearing fruit and flowers, and providing shade. Birds come and sit in those trees. Seeing all this gives him great joy. He wants to spend the rest of his life doing just this.

At one time, he faced a lot of mockery and disrespect. Now, with this award, Mahmudul feels he can finally respond to those critics. He said, "Many used to ask me, 'What do you get from doing all this?" I could not answer them before. It's true, I don't get anything material. But this award will be an answer this time. They will know that the state has recognised me."

Mahmudul received the National Environment Award from the Department of Environment Conservation and Pollution Control. He dedicated the award to his mother, who has been his lifelong inspiration.

According to Mahmudul, working for the environment requires being uncompromising. That's exactly how he has been for many years, and how he wants to remain. When asked about his future plans, he said, "I always pray to the Creator to use me for this work. Many people don't care about the damage they cause to the environment and life. I want Him to let me do the work through me."

Mahmudul wants to keep working like this for as long as he lives. He believes serving the environment should never stop.

"This national award has deepened my commitment to life and nature," said Mahmudul.