Guided by its motto, Sangachhadhwam samvadadhwam samvo manaamsi jaanataam, The Satsang Foundation (TSF) marked the period between Earth Day and World Environment Day with a vibrant, nationwide campaign spanning diverse communities, through TSF’s Environment initiatives – MyTree, My Bhoomi, Satsang Jal Seva Sangatan (SJSS) and Aviral Godavari – often working in synergy with one another. The Foundation galvanized children, youth, and elders alike to take meaningful steps toward environmental regeneration.
Rooted in Harmony
The MyTree movement continued to foster ecological sensitivity through tree planting, nature education, and biodiversity support.
In Chennai, MyTree collaborated with ExNoRa and Ben Lines to inaugurate a Butterfly Garden in the 22-acre Eco Park at Thirumullaivoyal. Over 300 saplings were planted (of a planned 1,000), creating a haven for pollinators and a hands-on learning space for children, complete with a selfie booth and educational signage.
Meanwhile, in and around Mumbai, a cluster plantation drive at Sane Guruji Vidyalaya (Karjat) brought together volunteers, educators, and students to plant fruit-bearing trees, golden bamboo, coffee, and cocoa. At the CGHS wellness centre, the landscape was restored and 92 small flowering and semi-shade saplings such as Jamaican Spike, Gulphimia, Jatropha, and Krishna Kamal were planted.
In Gurugram, MyTree volunteers were supported by Komatsu India in planting 80 flowering trees like Murraya and Parijat at DLF City. Accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras, participants experienced a deeper connection to nature while pledging continued care for the saplings.
Bengaluru also witnessed green expansion as 100 saplings were planted at the State Intelligence Training Academy in Hulimavu. Volunteers ensured meticulous ground preparation, while a simultaneous My Bhoomi plogging drive collected plastic waste, nurturing both the soil and society.
Seeding Young Minds
In Mumbai and Nashik MyTree Academy reached out to schoolchildren with inspiring workshops.
In Mumbai, children eagerly took part in a hands-on session at a 20-day Gujarati Shibir in Kandivali, while at IES Bhandup School the Mytree Academy session with 30 Senior KG children, their parents and teachers was a huge success. Another workshop at IES New English School with 35 young students, revealed deep engagement as children shared stories about trees. MyTree volunteers also conducted a session for 25 less-privileged children near Ganesh Dham Society in Mulund East, in which volunteers guided the children in planting seven gifted plants in dry leaves and sowing chilli seeds in repurposed milk sachets. Volunteers also saved two trees from being cut by discouraging dry-leaf burning and promoting proper disposal.
In Hyderabad, creativity bloomed at Symphony Park Homes, where children and their parents built sparrow nests under the guidance of Shri Rakesh Khatri, known as the Nest Man of India. With materials provided by MyTree volunteers, every child contributed to a world where urban birds can thrive.
In Nashik, over 640 students at Udoji Horizon School learned about sustainable planting techniques as part of the Aviral Godavari Mission, working on one of India’s most revered rivers. Students and teachers expressed a strong desire to stay involved – one student shared that she had planted 50 trees since a prior session! Furthering ongoing efforts in long-term ecological and hydrological renewal, around 100 students of Adarsh Vidya Mandir (Nashik) created 7,000 seedballs of native tree varieties and, guided by TSF volunteers, subsequently dispersed them across more than 2 hectares on Brahmagiri, where the Godavari originates. The dispersal was supported by the Rotary Club (Nashik West).
Nurturing Every Drop
The Satsang Jal Seva Sangatan has been executing projects across the country to harvest rainwater and recharge groundwater.
At Chitrakala Parishad in Uttarahalli, Bengaluru, rainwater was previously draining off onto the road. Ten percolation wells were constructed to redirect the water into the ground, recharging underground aquifers. Supported by Accolite Digital and Liya Infratech, this project is expected to recharge about 2.14 million litres of water annually.
As part of TSF’s “Environment Dialogues,” a two-part conversation – “Blueprint for Water Security: Lessons from the Ground” and “Restoring Balance: How Nature and People Rebuild Together” – was held with Dr. Ajit Gokhale, who offered insights into real-world models for sustainable water use, bridging grassroots efforts with long-term ecological planning.
Small Steps, Big Change
My Bhoomi led impactful ground-level efforts across cities, demonstrating that small choices can indeed create big change.
At Chanda Satsang Vidyalaya Lathira, Earth Day began with silent meditation and the mantra “जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी”, followed by skits on environmental threats and poetry on life’s journey on Earth, closing with a powerful message: “Filled with mirth, live on this Earth, making your birth of great worth.”
Taking the message to the marketplace in Bengaluru, young volunteers aged just 10 and 12 joined hands with others at Bellandur Market to distribute 140 reusable cloth bags donated by Komatsu India. Their enthusiasm was infectious – two vendors immediately adopted the bags, exemplifying the shift toward conscious consumption.
A joint My Bhoomi-MyTree project at the AP Nagar Police Quarters in Bengaluru planted over 300 saplings of trees like Neem, Arjuna, and Mahogany and cleared 70 kg of plastic waste. The effort included students, police officers, and TSF volunteers working side by side in the spirit of shared responsibility.
Addressing the urgent e-waste challenge and fostering eco-responsibility, My Bhoomi teams in Pune and Mumbai organized recycling drives to ensure responsible disposal and public awareness. In Pune, 30 kg of e-waste was collected in a single day, while Mumbai’s multi-day initiative across neighbourhoods like Chandivali and Mulund gathered over 160 kg. All collected waste was handed over to authorized recyclers, turning trash into treasure.
Commit to a Better Shared Future
The Satsang Foundation’s campaign wove together diverse efforts under a single, powerful vision: healing Mother Earth through collective harmony. In the true spirit of Sangachhadhwam, let’s walk together toward a sustainable future; plant a tree, carry a cloth bag, create a butterfly garden, or simply start a conversation about our planet.
To volunteer or know more, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org.
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