This environment crusader refuses to hang up his boots

VADODARA: After covering 3,975 km in Gujarat on foot and planting 1,300 saplings along the way, he is now going to embark on a speed bike rally. D Muniappan, 36, will start this new adventure rally from Goa passing through the now flood affected Leh to touch base at Khardungla Pass. The motto of this adventure endeavour is to urge people to protect environment.
It will be second visit that Muniappan will be making to Khardungla Pass. He has cycled all the way from Chennai's Marina Beach to the world's highest motorable pass at 18,380 feet in Khardungla pass in Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative made it to Limca Book of World Records.
The speed bike rally is equally challenging as Muniappan along with 12 other bikers will cover 3,000 km in just three days. "We are all facing problems caused due to global warming. The least a common man can do is to plant trees. Like other rallies, even during the bike rally I plan to plant 1,100 saplings along with locals," said Muniappan, a resident of Anand's Chikodra village.
The rally will flag off from Goa on September 22, proceed towards Maharashtra covering other states that include Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi finally making it to Leh.
"This stint is going to be very challenging as we would take fewer halts to make it to our final destination in shortest possible time. The last lap towards the pass will be difficult as we would have to drive through mountainous terrain," added Muniappan, a health consultant, who also runs NGO Tamil Welfare Society to help the physically challenged and poor.
Muniappan, in the last five years, has planted 25,000 saplings across the country. "The reason for taking up different and difficult route to promote tree plantation is to reach out to masses. When I decided to walk across the state, there was no one to accompany me. But, I went ahead and was happy to motivate thousands of people to plant and preserve trees," shared Muniappan.