The Hindu community in Mombasa on Monday celebrated their Diwali in a special way by planting 100,000 trees at the Kibarani Miracle Park.
Members of the community trooped into the park in their numbers throughout the day as they planted casaurina trees.
The park, which was a dumpsite but was rehabilitated by Mombasa Cement Company after a plea from President Uhuru Kenyatta, will be transformed into a silvicultural forest, according to Gulam Salim.
Gulam, who is in charge of the forestry at the Mombasa Cement Miracle Park, Kibarani, said Monday will be a special day forever because they celebrated their new year in style.
“It is a double blessing for us, and Kenya will become a green country because of such efforts as these. Just as human beings have life, so do tress and we must take care of them,” he said.
He said the transformation of the Kibarani dumpsite has been a blessing for thousands of Mombasa residents who now enjoy fresh air, contrary to years past when the place used to stink.
At the park, about 40,000 people get meals twice a day, daily, for free.
“Tourists used to grimace whenever they passed this place from the airport due to the stench. Today, they come here to take pictures. We want them to come and enjoy the fresh air later when the trees grow,” Gulam said.
On Monday, those who went for meals were also asked to plant a tree each.
“Today, we wanted to involve them in this tree planting exercise. No meal without planting a tree. They have responded in kind,” Gulam said.
Heenal Gorsia, a community member, said the Hindu New Year will be dedicated to planting trees.
“Tree planting will help us reduce global warming, and we will have a better climate for our future. That is why we have come here at the Mombasa Cement Miracle Park to join other members in planting 100,000 trees,” Gorsia said.
She said all Kenyans should come together to make a change.
Rauji Rajsaramji and his family said the tree planting will be blessed throughout the year, and hopes this will translate to good health throughout the year.
“We are happy. We heard about this venture and said we had to be here,” he said.
Osman Jeffa, who had gone for the meals, said he will dedicate himself to ensuring the trees are well watered and protected.
“It is my small way of contribution. I want when I die, someone somewhere will say that I helped reduce global warming by planting a tree, and taking care of them,” he said.
He was accompanied by about 20 of his friends and called on other Kenyans across the country to plant more trees and take care of them.
The Diwali, celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kartika, is a festival of lights with its variations also celebrated in other Indian religions.
It symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".
The celebrations generally lasts five or six days. They started last Friday.