“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.” – Alice Walker
Tree planting is recognized as one of the most engaging, environmentally-friendly activities that can help the planet when done properly. Trees offer numerous long-term and short-term benefits. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal, but they also actively remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigate heavy rain by reducing the risk of flooding, enhance air quality, and mitigate the urban heat island effect by reflecting sunlight and providing shade.
Alarmingly growing global warming and deforestation calls for more trees and a greener environment. Planting more trees would not only help humans but it will support the whole biodiversity. Trees help prevent soil erosion. They also absorb different pollutants and thus make the air-water and earth cleaner.
For this reason, many tree plantation NGOs have been working tirelessly across states in India to contribute to the environment and create a sustainable living future for the coming generations.
The presence of more tree plantation NGOs is essential to address climate change, conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable development, and raise environmental awareness.
These organizations can create significant positive impacts by mobilizing resources, implementing effective strategies, and engaging individuals and communities in tree-planting initiatives.
Here is a list of top tree plantation NGOs across states in India:
Andhra Pradesh
Digipe Foundation, a non-profit under Indian Companies Act, focuses on socio-economic and environmental projects. It promotes education for underprivileged girls and initiated a successful Green Walkathon on World Environment Day 2022, distributing 150+ tree saplings. Its flagship initiative, Project Sanjeevani, aims to plant 1 Crore Bamboo trees and establish Oxygen Parks across India, contributing to 100% carbon neutrality.
Assam
Native Green Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization based out of Guwahati, Assam, India. The organization is driven by the vision of creating a greener, cleaner, and healthier environment. It aims to create more awareness Programs on afforestation, waste management, conservation of natural resources, pollution, etc.
Bihar
Plant Eco Circle aims to make a positive environmental and educational impact by conducting workshops, awareness drives, and lectures for students in Bihar. Founded by Rajat Mistry in response to pollution in Patna, the organization emphasizes CSR initiatives and combines lectures with plantation drives to inspire proactive youth.
Chhattisgarh
Kshitih Foundation is a social enterprise. It works for the environment, employment, and education. They strive to create greener earth through tree planting and effective waste management. Additionally, they aim to address rural and tribal unemployment by providing skill development and employment opportunities through different schemes and departments.
Goa
The Goa Foundation, founded in 1986 by Goan environmentalists, is a respected environmental action group. It has persistently championed Goa’s natural environment for over three decades, earning the respect of the judiciary, government, and the public.
Gujarat
Green Leaf NGO was founded to enhance green cover and conservation of the environment, rehabilitate natural resources, and prevent depletion of the environment. It is run by a group of young dynamic, energetic, and green environment lovers.
Their vision is to create a balance between ecosystems and natural resources, aiming for a pollution-free Earth for present and future generations.
Haryana
OneStepTowardsPeace is a leading afforestation welfare society (NGO) in Gurgaon India working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through tree plantation, urban biodiversity conservation, water bodies restoration, sustainable solutions, and environmental research and awareness.
Himachal Pradesh
The Society for Social Welfare & Environment, commonly known as “Incredible Himachal,” was founded on October 18th, 2010 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Incredible Himachal’s mission is to raise awareness about the environment, global warming, and pollution. They promote culture preservation, science, literature, tribal heritage, and rural development. Chairman Hemraj Chauhan also received awards for social activities in Himachal.
Karnataka
Bangalore, the “City of Gardens,” was treasured for its pleasant weather and greenery. But as corporates and the IT industry grew, natural beauty diminished. Concerned software engineers and tree enthusiasts formed SayTrees to combat deforestation and urbanization.
It strives to protect the environment through tree-planting campaigns. Starting as a weekend pursuit in 2007, they now conduct over 50 tree plantation drives during the monsoon season. They also lead initiatives in research, education, sensitization, and advocacy for environmental preservation.
Kerela
Greenvein, based in Eranakulam is a Nonprofit organization in India for planting and protecting trees. Its vision is to reduce global warming and implement reforestation programs. The motto of the organization is to propagate a culture of planting and protecting trees and make it part of our day-to-day activity rather than a ritualistic and symbolic process.
Maharashtra
Nelda was launched in 2016 to help people plant and grow a billion trees by 2041. On June 26, 2016, in the first event, over 200 trees were planted with the help of 25+ volunteers at Hanuman Tekdi, Pune. Their first collaboration was with IMERT, Pune, where students volunteered for Nelda activities. By May 2017, they had successfully planted 500+ trees in the first year alone. Nelda Foundation has since planted and continues to care for thousands of trees in the Pune region.
Odisha
Unmukt Foundation was founded in 2017 on three core ideas: giving children access to formal and non-formal education that will supplement and fill the gaps of mainstream education, promoting sensitivity towards the environment, and showcasing local indigenous culture. They have been working on plantation drives across the state and restoring forest areas affected by natural calamities.
Punjab
EcoSikh is a Sikh community’s response to climate change and environmental degradation. The organization emerged as part of the Long Term Plans for Generational Change program, initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) in 2009. Its goal is to assist major religious traditions in developing long-term plans to enhance their environmental relationship.
Rajasthan
Vrikshawali doesn’t consider planting as the end of a process. They believe that saplings, like children, need proper care, nurturing, and a suitable environment to flourish. They understand that aftercare is crucial for young trees, ensuring their survival and development into mature trees.
In 2012, Dr. Pooja Goyal initiated a tree-planting project to attract birds and provide shade. Initially, she led the effort alone, accompanied by her family. With determination, she cleared weeds, planted and cared for trees, expanded the project with her resources and contributions from friends, and greened her locality.
Tamil Nadu
In June 2005, a group of individuals in Chennai felt the need for an organization to advocate for trees. They formed NIZHAL (shade), a registered trust, to promote awareness about the importance of trees and the need to plant, propagate, and nurture them for the well-being of everyone.
Telangana
RAR (REVIVE AND RELIVE) Charitable Trust is a not-for-profit organization working in India, focusing on Saving TREEs, Eco-friendly Activities, Animal Welfare, and Helping the Needy. We do this through well-planned and comprehensive projects in health, education, livelihoods, and disaster preparedness and response. Our overall goal is the empowerment of every element of nature and leading to improvement in their existence.
RAR aims to make a difference in the way certain elements are treated in the name of development and strive hard to give equal opportunity to everyone.
Uttar Pradesh
Yogyata Samaj Kalyan Sewa Samiti aims to plant one million native trees across India annually. Volunteers, farmers, NGOs, schoolchildren, and the public participate in mass planting during monsoon and winter seasons, ensuring efficient monitoring and nourishment for high survival rates.
Uttarakhand
Him Foundation is set up with a noble objective to help individuals who require support in one form or another. Every individual can help in one way or another and we take that forward by identifying those people and providing them opportunities to help needy or poor individuals.
Tackling environmental issues is crucial for development and the responsibility of all. Him Foundation and volunteers educate about the environment, and behavior management, and emphasize tree planting to inspire action and lead by example.
West Bengal
Bharatiya Jana Seva Mission is a leading NGO in Kolkata, focused on environmental and plantation programs. Their mission is to reforest the world, highlighting the vital role of trees in purifying water, and air, and improving social conditions. They actively engage the community in tree-plantation campaigns, emphasizing the impact of individual contributions for a greener West Bengal.
Conclusion
Tree planting is a vital activity to combat climate change and enhance the environment. Numerous tree plantation NGOs are working across India, promoting reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and environmental awareness.
These organizations engage communities, implement effective strategies, and mobilize resources to create a positive impact. Their efforts are crucial in addressing global warming, conserving biodiversity, and fostering sustainable development.
Written by Bhumika Malviya from Nelda. Images have the copyrights of the respective sources.
