“Abdul Kareem, 66, of Parappa, Kasargod, Kerala had a liking to ‘Kavu’, the sacred forests of Kerala, right from his childhood. He would frequently visit his wife’s house in Puliyankulam village and it was during such visits that he noticed the barren hillside land nearby. In 1977, as if on an impulse, he bought five acres of the land for Rs 3750. The people nearby and even his family were not able to comprehend his action, and he became a laughing stock in the locality. The property had only a single well that remained almost dry throughout the year. Since it could not provide enough to water the saplings that he planted, he would carry water in cans from outside sources on his two-wheeler. This continued for three years, at the end of which, nature started responding to his unrelenting efforts and the trees actually started growing.” – not perhaps (yet) ‘formally’ a protected area (though entrance is controlled and subject to conditions in terms of respecting the forest) … this does seem an example of what cultural and spiritual values can achieve, and can perhaps serve as an inspiration for others considering something similar
http://www.thebetterindia.com/7621/tbi-heroes-abdul-kareem-the-man-who-planted-a-forest/
