Mombasa Hindu Community Celebrates Diwali with Major Tree Planting Initiative

Mombasa, Kenya – In a unique celebration of Diwali, the Hindu community in Mombasa has planted 100,000 trees at Kibarani Miracle Park. The community members gathered in large numbers to plant coastal she-oak trees, marking the festival in an environmentally conscious way.

According to Kenya News Agency, in charge of forestry at Miracle Park, the area, once a dumpsite, has been transformed into a silviculture following a rehabilitation initiative by Mombasa Cement Company, prompted by a request from President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Salim highlighted the significance of the day, emphasizing the dual celebration of the Hindu New Year and the contribution to Kenya’s green landscape. He remarked on the transformation of the Kibarani dumpsite into a source of fresh air and a tourist attraction, a stark contrast to its past. The initiative also involved those who came for free meals at the park, with about 40,000 people being served twice daily, in the tree planting. Heenal Gorsia, a community member, spoke about dedicating the Hindu New Year to tree planting as a step towards reducing global warming.

Rauji Rajsaramji and his family participated in the event, hoping that their efforts would bring good health throughout the year. Osman Jeffa, who visited the park for meals, expressed his commitment to ensuring the well-being of the planted trees, viewing it as his contribution to combating global warming. The festival of Diwali, which started last Friday, is celebrated over five or six days and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.