In 2024, I met Usha Murli (Augusta Town Homes), during the planning for the mega plantation drive for Noida & witnessed her sincerity for environmental conservation.
After a corporate career in Marketing with the HCL group, Usha has donned multiple hats. The need for sustainable practices led her to organic farming and supplying organic vegetables. She is working on waste management focused on recycling and minimalism.
Usha has contributed to community initiatives for organic waste composting.
Usha works with children on a program called ‘Simplified Sustainability for Daily Living,’ which involves waste segregation.
As a core team volunteer for Green Your Neighbourhood, a citizen volunteer group, Usha has led in undertaking tree plantation drives across Noida, collaborating with residential societies, corporates, schools, and NGOs.
Their mission is to plant one tree for every Noida resident, with the slogan, “Each One, Plant One, and Nurture One.”
Environmental consciousness began early in Usha’s life, influenced by her mother, an environmentalist. She recalls that no fruit scrap/ vegetable peel was thrown away; instead, it was her task, along with her siblings, to bury it in the soil next to the plants.
No matter how busy they were, all dal, vegetables etc washing water was poured onto the plants. For someone of Usha’s mother’s generation, awareness about the effects of plastic was high. They were never given school tiffin in plastic containers; when she packed her son’s lunchbox, it was a stainless steel one.
Usha recalls hearing her mother lament about soil degradation due to fertilizers and the harm caused by pesticide use. While schoolbooks mentioned how fertilizers helped produce crops, it took her a few years to realize that her mother’s concerns had been valid.
Usha is passionate about reviving art forms, like Rangoli, and has conceived and executed large productions (36 x 36 feet) involving 100+ volunteers of all age groups.
A nature lover, Usha has a deep passion for bird watching. Her garden serves as a mini biosphere for a variety of birds, including Coucals, Rufous Treepies, Rose-ringed Parakeets and many others. These birds visit for a sip of water, a dip in the bird bath, and to feast on grains/ insects found in her garden.
Usha’s bird feeders are filled with Silver-billed Munias.
Usha continues her efforts, in a small way, to live in harmony with nature.
