Interview of Fr. Ted Bowling SJ on historical development of “Green Cover” [series 2]

Interview of Fr. Ted Bowling SJ on historical development of “Green Cover” at De Nobili College, Pune, by Sch. Jaya Singh on 22^nd of February, 2019.

4.      Can you propose some suggestions for promoting ecological awareness in our campus and in people who we meet?

a.       Put up sign boards on our DNC roads that highlight the usefulness of trees, for instance, absorbing Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere and emitting fresh Oxygen.

b.      Get films from the Maharashtra State Forestry Department which highlight some of the more successful attempts to reforest bare hill sides. Or films from the Jesuit Social Centre of Ahmednagar to show how it educates rural farmers to dig ditches on hillsides to trap rainwater into areas where trees can grow subsequently if there is enough water.

5.      What do you advise us “the younger ones” of the Society of Jesus to do to take care of our common home?

a.       Proper trimming of young trees. Cut off some of the lower branches so that the trunk becomes thicker, stronger and higher. As a result, a person can walk easily under the branches of a mature shade tree. I always left the trimming of fruit trees to others who knew more about them. I was only interested in shade trees.

b.      Begin to make or continue to make your own compost to nourish saplings.

c.       I see many small, thin trees, so I wonder if a 1x1x1 metred pit was dug and systematically filled up.

d.      Ask a Deacon to preach a Homily on the theme: what messages can be found in the Old as well as the New Testament where trees are mentioned.

Interview of Fr. Ted Bowling SJ on historical development of “Green Cover” [series 3]

Interview of Fr. Ted Bowling SJ on historical development of “Green Cover” at De Nobili College, Pune, by Sch. Jaya Singh on 22^nd of February, 2019.

6.      As the diocese of Poona dedicates this year as “Year of Ecology-2019”, can you suggest some practical suggestions to promote eco-sentivity?

a.       Join hands with other “Eco-minded” persons to fight to keep existing Municipal and Cantonment Gardens open so that there are enough green areas to compensate for the amount of Carbon Dioxide from fossil fuels. Plan new gardens NOW in the ever growing city of Pune.

b.      Preach a Homily in the Church on the theme, “What messages are found in the Bible where trees are mentioned? This theme could well be explored as a valid “Master’s Thesis” in Theology.

c.       Put up sign boards on our roads that highlight the usefulness of trees, for instance, absorbing Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere and emitting fresh Oxygen.

7.      What are the some challenges, you foresee in promoting ecological awareness?

a.       Failures of Architects and Builders to plan far enough ahead for trees, shrubs, and flowers in Housing Societies. They need the help of a landscape architect to do this properly, also failures of Builders to keep their promises.

b.      Scarcity of water because of the rapid rate in which the population of Pune is growing due to the reception of more and more villages into the city.

8.      Who are your models to plant trees?

a.       The Jesuit Brothers who planted:

i.                    The two rows of Gulmohar and Rain trees along the road from Nagar Road to our house entrance,

ii.                  The giant trees at the end of the stations of the cross saplings of which were brought here from underneath the trees of St. Xavier’s College Villa in Khandala,

iii.                The Rain Trees at present on the campus of the Papal Seminary Westward along the nala flowing with water. This was done in 1954, the year before the Papal Seminary shifted from Kandy to Pune. How big those Rain Trees are now.

b.      The Swiss Theologian one year ahead of me in theology who was as enthusiastic about planting trees as I was.

c.       Johnny Appleseed , the nickname of a pioneer who lived in the USA from 1774 to 1845, who earned that name from his fellow pioneers because of the ardent way he distributed apple seeds and sprouts in Central and Northern Ohio State.