Abba Ranaware : Nature’s Own Son

Abba Vitthal Ranaware professionally a BEST driver who drives on route number 521 daily from Tardeo to Koperkhairne is a social worker too. He does the dual job of driving down the lane and keeping a keen eye on the road. While driving from the Sion-Panvel highway he scans the roads for Eco-patrol exercise. Whenever he comes across the issue of trees getting cut he makes sure strict action is taken against it by the tree officers at BMC.

Ranaware has spent his childhood in Nimsakhar village of Pune. His fondness for greenery was inherited from his father who was a farmer. Though he was never interested in academics he is invited by the Municipal schools for enlightening the students with the importance of protecting nature. His motivation behind this Green Revolution started after his neighbor sliced down nearly 12 trees that he had planted in the residential complex. He can’t stand the sight of trees getting hacked.

Team Socioethika had the pleasure to meet Mr. Abba Ranaware.
Societhika is a website which allows NGOs to represent their work and activities.

Excerpt from the interview:

Could you please introduce yourself ?

I entered Mumbai in 1976 and started working in the grocery store. I was paid 120 Rs as salary there. I worked for 4 years and then worked as lorry cleaner. I continued working as a cleaner for 2 years. During that time I removed my driving license and applied for the service in BEST. I was kept on waiting list for 2 years. So for 2 years I worked with Siemens as contract driver. In 1985 I got into BEST and since then have continued working there sincerely. During my service I was felicitated with numerous awards including the Mumbai Mirror Heroes Award. Local schools invite me to guide the students with the importance of Ayurveda and warn the students against the effects of global warming. I am an admirer of Ayurveda since childhood.

Since how long are you working with BEST?

I have been working with BEST since 30 years. I still have 5 more years for retirement. After reaching home daily, I rest till 10 pm. After that people come to meet me for massage and Ayurvedic treatment for curing their ailments. They come to me when everyone else fails to recover them..

Could you give a social message to prevent deforestation?

When people cut tree nobody response. Most of them are either scared to take an action or they are not aware where to report this. I complaint against these people in BMC office or local police station. And I make sure they are punished. I can pass this message to people that this year we have experienced the scarcity of rain. It did not rain in the entire month of June. So everyone should stop this cutting of trees. Plant more and more trees. If you see anyone cutting trees protest against them. Because of this growing infrastructure rain has declined. If you want to save nature you have to plant trees and take proper care. You should make sure it survives. Nature has both plants and animals. You have to take care of both equally. Even if daily you keep one glass of water outside it will be very beneficial. Birds are important part of nature. If we plant fruit bearing trees, humans and birds both will be benefited. Birds make noise at night because they don’t get food the entire day.

How do you defend yourself when politicians oppose you?

Initially people have opposed me. But i am very stubborn for this cause. So now they have stopped harassing me. Just because they harass me i wont stop.

Now that you have become green revolutionary of Navi Mumbai how could you guide the people?

We try our best to stop cutting of trees. If we see any place which is cluttered by thermocol we advise people to throw it in dustbin. Because when it rains the thermocol blocks the drainage system obstructing the flow of water. So people should start using dustbin and stop cluttering the roads