It’s been 9 years since I started the Nelda Foundation on Hanuman Hill, Pune.
Since then, we’ve planted thousands of trees, with hundreds of volunteers from Pune and beyond.
I’ve dedicated countless days, resources, and mental energy to this project and will continue doing it for many more years.
I firmly believe that planting trees is right, but sometimes I wonder if it’s genuinely about fixing the planet.
Too Little, Too Late
That’s what the pessimists say.
I’ve heard many people argue that there’s no hope for humanity, people’s habits won’t change, and planting trees is useless because it has little impact due to the overall destruction of the environment.
Some even say planting trees is selfish, forcing forests where nature didn’t ask for them. It’s like trying to help someone who doesn’t want it. Is it so?
I get their point, but they take it too literally.
The world isn’t being saved or ruined here; it’s shifting between balance and imbalance.
What does ‘better’ mean?
Does a ‘better world’ mean only a greener world? One with lots and lots of trees everywhere?
Isn’t that what we had until the Industrial Revolution, and yet the world was no less chaotic? Will bringing back forests, in a literal sense, ‘help restore’ whatever damage we’ve done?
In my view, most macro-level, long-term changes are inevitable. You can hardly stop them. And even if you plug one hole, another will open somewhere else.
Planting trees probably won’t reverse climate change, at least not soon.
But then, why are so many smart people and organizations worldwide passionate about planting trees?
Intent
Human intent can truly move mountains. And I think that’s where the magic is.
Planting trees may not fix the planet, but it can strengthen our intent, and that’s where change begins.
We need intent as individuals and as a society to create lasting change. Tree plantations are a brilliant way to affirm our commitment to caring.
Also, when you plant a tree, it’s not just about you caring for the planet. The action of planting trees changes something in you.
You realize that not all results are instant. Trees can take years to grow.
You realize that you don’t control everything. Some trees you plant will die no matter what you do.
You realize that difficulty is not an excuse. Survival in nature isn’t easy.
I believe the mindset transformation we undergo through any social work, especially tree plantations, will improve the world.
It’s the planters—not the plants—who make the world better
Planters, not the plants themselves, can make the world a better place.
Human creativity and intent have gotten us here and will push us forward. We just have to steer them in the right direction.
People who plant trees automatically become more conscious of the environment around them. They make better decisions, discuss sustainability more, and, most importantly, start caring.
And that is mission accomplished, if you ask me. Because once we all start caring, our intent has the power to fix the planet.
We Plant Faith
I originally started with an ambition of planting a billion trees.
It was nearly impossible to achieve, and probably wouldn’t have made much real impact. After a few years, I realized the real value lies in people.
So then I switched my attention to introducing more and more people to tree planting and environmental work.
One inspired planter can do more than a hundred plants.
This climate change cycle will pass, but the faith we plant in society will live on.
Our changed mindset will eventually fix the planet.
