Punjab: Inspired by his deep love for nature and the environment, 75-year-old retired army veteran and banker Rajinder Singh Kalra has turned his Jamalpur Bank Colony home into a model of zero-waste living. He manages all household waste, both wet and dry, through meticulous rooftop composting, ensuring that not a single covering leaves his property. He also reuses his neighbours’ discarded flowers, and turns them into nutrient-rich plant compost. Recalling his initial efforts, Kalra recalls, “We developed gardens outside, but the city’s road expansion plans threatened to destroy them. After constant protests, we secured a green belt.” His home gardening journey began in 2017 with a few compost bins for wet waste. It has now expanded to 16 drums on his rooftop. He used the extra time he got during the Covid-19 lockdown to further enhance his eco-friendly ways. “The municipal officials noticed my work and appreciated it,” Kalra said. “The appreciation from the mayor and municipal commissioner motivated me to work even harder.” He now grows a variety of fruits and vegetables at home. “I have apple trees from Bilaspur, which will bear fruit next season, and an avocado tree from Sikkim,” he says. He counters the common excuse of limited space by saying that plants thrive even in small areas. He is currently tending to over 500 plants, with his homegrown fruits and vegetables being sufficient for his household needs. Kalra’s terrace garden is divided into four sections – flowers, vegetables, organic manure production and bio-enzyme preparation. “I make bio-enzymes from citrus peels, which are great for washing utensils, cleaning floors and washing clothes – all natural,” he explains. He is also proud of his diverse cactus collection, which blooms with beautiful flowers despite their prickly reputation.
His terrace garden has become a haven for sparrows and sometimes peacocks. “Initially my wife was an avid gardener, but as my passion grew, I started devoting most of my time to plants,” admits Kalra. He also scatters fruit seeds during his car trips with the aim of increasing the population of fruit trees. Interestingly, when the Tribune correspondent and lensman were looking for Kalra’s house, local residents promptly responded when asked for the address, Tussi zero waste home jaana (you want to go to a zero-waste home). Residents described the entire Bank Colony as a model, but Kalra’s house is considered exemplary. Kalra actively associates with the Green Thumb group, an NGO focused on green initiatives. Kalra works with local organisations to educate students about the importance of nature and hosts educational visits for MC officials and residents at his home. “Wrappers come home, but they don’t go as waste,” explains Kalra. “I stuff them into bottles or sacks to make pillows for injured cows at the local shed, providing them comfort.”
