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.