Lucknow,

20 Feb (HS): Trees, the natural air purifiers and oxygen providers are the

backbone of our ecosystems. They protect biodiversity by offering shelter and

food to countless species, filter water, and play a vital role in mitigating

climate change. Yet, relentless deforestation driven by urbanization continues

to threaten these delicate ecosystems, pushing wildlife to the brink and

disrupting environmental balance.

In

response to this crisis, several organisations have undertaken thoughtfully

calibrated tree-planting initiatives. Their efforts are not only restoring

fragile ecosystems and protecting endangered species but also empowering local

communities through reforestation.

Here

are five social enterprises leading the way:

Grow-Trees.com: Generating more than 1.6

million workdays of employment, social enterprise Grow-Trees.com achieved a

major milestone in 2024 by successfully planting over 21 million trees across

25 Indian States since the year of its inception. On maturity, the trees will

absorb over 400 million kilograms of carbon annually. Founded in 2010 by Mr

Pradip Shah and Karan Shah, Grow-Trees.com plants local trees to support local

communities and nourish biodiversity.A

recent initiative ‘Ratan Tata Memorial Forest,’ isaugmenting the green cover in the Himalayas

with nearly four lakh trees. The Trees for Ram Bhoomi® in Ayodhya projectwillenhance the ecological health of the city. The global organisation is

also working in Uganda wherethe 'Trees

for Refugee Wellness'has a target of

planting 50,000 trees. The ‘Trees for Sunda Pangolins’ project in Lela Village,

Indonesia has a similar target. Their website enables corporate entities and

individuals to contribute to environmental projects including Trees for

Migratory Birds™, Trees For Tigers, Trees for Tribals®, and Trees for

Rivers.As a token of appreciation,

contributors receive an eTreeCertificate®, acknowledging their commitment to

nature.

One

Tree Planted (India): One Tree Planted, headquartered in Shelburne, Vermont,

USA, is a global nonprofit organisation dedicated to environmental restoration

and combating deforestation through tree-planting initiatives. Founded by Matt

Hill, it operates on a simple model where a small donation-often just one

dollar-funds the planting of a tree. In India, One Tree Planted is implementing

major projects, including ‘Agroforestry to Protect Tiger Habitat,’ which

focuses on restoring critical ecosystems around Nagarahole and Bandipur

National Parks. Another key project is the ‘Women-Led Mangrove Restoration’ in

the Sundarbans, which strengthens coastal resilience against storms and

enhances marine ecosystems. Further, the ‘Fruit Trees to Fight Hunger’

initiative supports smallholder farmers across several Indian states by

providing fruit trees to improve food security and livelihoods in marginalised

communities.

SankalpTaru: Founded by Apurva Bhandari,

SankalpTaru is recognised for its extensive socio-environmental impact,

undertaking projects that range from cultivating organic apple villages in

Ladakh to support farmers' livelihoods to reforesting the ecologically fragile

Aravallis near Delhi and developing a green wall of mangroves in the

Sundarbans. Committed to spreading greenery and fostering global unity for a

green future, the organization actively collaborates with corporate and

philanthropic partners to implement CSR and ESG programmes, reinforcing its

environmental and social mission.

Grow

Billion Trees: Grow Billion Trees is an initiative dedicated to planting and

protecting billions of trees to combat climate change. Established by a group

of Indian Army veterans, the initiative leverages technology and community

engagement to drive large-scale reforestation efforts globally. Their approach

focuses on selecting and planting native tree species that can thrive in their

respective environments. Currently, Grow Billion Trees is implementing tree

plantation projects across major Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh,

Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka and

Kerala. The initiative also collaborates closely with local communities and

organisations to ensure that its projects deliver lasting ecological and social

benefits.

Green Yatra: Green Yatra’s journey began with

the Go Green Ganesha campaign in early 2008, and by 2010, Green Yatra had

officially registered as an NGO. It rapidly expanded to thousands of schools,

colleges, and housing societies, leading to the launch of several other

impactful environmental initiatives, including Zaroorat, Green Youth Green

India and more. Founded by a nature enthusiast, Pradeep Tripathi the

organisation focuses on large-scale treep planting, waste management, renewable

energy promotion and environmental education, addressing key ecological

challenges while promoting sustainable living. It is also recognised for its

grassroots approach and transparent operations, receiving numerous accolades

for its contributions to the environment.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi