🌱 What Happened
In the small village of Piplantri, Rajasthan, a remarkable transformation has taken place over the last decade. Thanks to Shyam Sundar Paliwal, a former village head, Piplantri has gone green. Paliwal, inspired by the memory of his daughter, launched an initiative in 2006 where the village would plant 111 trees every time a girl was born.
💡 Impact
Since its inception, the initiative has resulted in the planting of over a quarter million trees, not only greening the environment but also empowering and celebrating the village’s daughters. The villagers also plant aloe vera plants around the trees to prevent them from being infested by termites.
- The village has seen an upliftment in its overall environment and climate.
- It has provided a source of income, as the aloe vera plants are used to produce and sell organic products.
- Most importantly, the initiative worked towards changing the mindset towards the girl child in a region where female infanticide was prevalent.
📍 The Bigger Picture
The Piplantri model has been recognized nationally for its environmental and social impact, and it’s inspiring other villages to follow suit. This story serves as a shining example of how one person’s vision can bring about significant change.
If you want to read more about this amazing story, follow this link.
Let’s take a leaf out of Paliwal’s book and strive to make our world a greener, more equitable place.