MUMBAI: A Mumbai based environment group – Grow-Trees, claims to reduce carbon emissions by 78.25 million kg every year by planting 3.9 million trees from last 10 years. The organisation started its attempt on World Environment Day, June 5, 2010 to restore and safe forests to provide natural resources to the local communities in India.
According to Pradip Shah, co-founder & director, “Tree planting creates low-skill jobs, and trees provide benefit to current and future generations, have a direct impact on carbon reduction, restoring forests, improving wildlife habitats, and upgrading water catchment areas, and offer flowers, fruit fodder and fuel for local communities and all living creatures.
The organization is working in 16 states with the local teams. It was recognised by the central government in 2010.
Organisation has running a lot of campaigns across India to protect wild life habitats. ‘Trees for Wildlife’ is one of its example in this series. Another campaigns focusing on tree plantations are based on plantations for Indian Giant Flying Squirrels in Rajasthan, Gibbons in Assam, Hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh, and migratory bird habitats in Puducherry.
Belinda Wright, wildlife conservationist and executive director, Wildlife Protection Society of India said, “The work by Grow-Trees is commendable and I really support their plantation activities but for any plantation across India, especially around forests, ensuring a good survival rate is crucial. We need to have better follow-up for our plantation activities.”