We believe that it is always better to light a candle, than to keep cursing the darkness around. Hence, Vanaparva has been started as a premium activity of the Vishnugupt project. Right from the ancient rishis down to E.F. Shumachar, all those who visualize the real cause of the backwardness of our villages, unanimously maintain that the dismal picture of our rural areas can be changed through a concerted programme of massive reforestation. A host of the problems of the present generation like air, water and soil pollution, green house effect, loss of biodiversity and all other socio-economic and psychosomatic disorders can be solved by change in our attitude toward mother nature. How best can we change the ‘end consumer’ attitude, fostered by the ‘ownership complex’ about nature, that is alien to our tradition and culture but is very dominant today, due solely to the ‘economic man syndrome’ imported from the west. In Vishnugupt, we make the campers experience the exalted pleasure in planting trees, watching them grow, blossom and the local and migratory birds as well as the other animals residing in the eco-system generated by them. These experiences offer them the opportunity of realizing their identity with nature and also the most basic principle of sustenance of life on the planet viz. 'giving is as much, if not more, important and enjoyable than taking’
