Surat (Gujarat) [India], May 30:

As World Environment Day approaches on June 5, the city of Surat is preparing for more than just ceremonial speeches. It’s preparing to plant hope—1,000 times over.

At the heart of this green revival is Viral Desai, an environmentalist and social changemaker affectionately known across Gujarat as the “Greenman.” For the past decade, Desai has worked to transform cities not only by planting trees but by planting awareness, action, and accountability.

This year, his week-long campaign is both timely and timeless. Timed with World Environment Day and grounded in the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated, the initiative aims to plant 1,000 trees across Surat and Navsari—in places like Maroli, Kadoli, Sarthana, and Sachin, where green spaces are most needed.

“Sardar Patel stood for unity, discipline, and cleanliness—values that are inseparable from environmental harmony,” says Desai. “We’re not just honouring his memory; we’re applying his principles to today’s most urgent challenge—climate change.”

From Satyagraha to Sustainability

The campaign is part of Desai’s larger movement: Satyagraha Against Pollution and Climate Change. With over 2 lakh volunteers mobilised and 6.5 lakh trees planted across Gujarat, it’s more than an initiative—it’s a people-powered revolution

But for Desai, symbolism isn’t enough.

“This is not a photo-op. This is generational work,” he asserts. “Every sapling represents not just oxygen or shade, but a shift in mindset.”

Building Green Cities, One Neighborhood at a Time

As India’s cities race ahead with development, the demand for green lungs—parks, trees, and biodiversity pockets—is critical. Desai’s tree-planting drive is as much about ecology as it is about public health, heat resilience, and community well-being.

Through thoughtful location choices and active involvement of municipal bodies and local institutions, the campaign ensures that every tree gets the support it needs to thrive.

“What we’re really planting is a living legacy—a shade for someone we may never meet. That’s the spirit of environmental citizenship,” says Desai.

A Movement Powered by Youth

One of the most powerful aspects of the campaign is how it empowers the next generation. Through a unique “Plant & Pledge” format, students from NSS units, colleges, and youth clubs participate not just as helpers—but as co-leaders.

Each volunteer takes a sustainability oath alongside planting a tree, grounding the act in personal commitment and long-term thinking.

“Young people aren’t just our future—they’re our present force for change,” Desai says. “When they plant a sapling, they’re planting values too.”

Green Unity in Action

At a time when the climate narrative often feels overwhelming, Desai’s grassroots work reminds us of the power of local action with national resonance. By linking environmentalism with patriotism—drawing from the legacy of a freedom fighter—Desai reinforces a powerful message:

Ecological responsibility is not optional. It’s a duty—just like any other form of nation-building.

A Call to Action: June 5 and Beyond

The campaign invites every citizen of Surat and Navsari to join hands—literally and figuratively—in making their cities greener and healthier. Whether it’s by planting a tree, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, Desai believes everyone has a role to play.

Because, as he puts it, “One tree. One volunteer. One mission. That’s how we grow a greener India.”

---

Let’s make this World Environment Day not just a celebration, but a beginning.