In a decisive step towards fostering environmental sustainability and positive social impact, News18 Network has launched ‘Project One Tree,’ a mass movement to encourage and mobilise every Indian to plant a tree for a greener, sustainable and breathable tomorrow. Inspired by PM Modi’s tree plantation on ‘Ek Ped, Ma ke Naam’ on the World Environment Day, Project One Tree is a quest to champion and motivate all Indians to take a small action but drive a big impact, plant one tree and remember to nurture it.
The launch was marked by a special message from the President of India, Draupadi Murmu. She spoke about the significance of championing ‘Project One Tree’ to combat environmental challenges. President Murmu shared her vision on fostering a greener and more sustainable future, inviting everyone to contribute towards the noble cause.
“Planting trees is a simple yet profoundly impactful step that each one of us can take to secure a healthier planet for future generations,” the President stated.
As part of the launch, News18 Network’s editors participated in a tree plantation activity, symbolizing their dedication to the environment. A snippet of the same was unveiled as part of the special broadcast across all national, business and regional channels of the Network.
To further strengthen the initiative, a dedicated microsite has been launched, which provides detailed information on ‘Project One Tree.’ This platform will serve as a hub for educational content, partnership opportunities, and updates on the project’s progress.
Since the launch, ‘Project One Tree’ has garnered widespread support from key government leaders such as G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister, Coal and Mines, Yogi Adityanath, CM, Uttar Pradesh, Eknath Shinde, CM, Maharashtra, Bhupendra Patel, CM, Gujarat, Dr Mohan Yadav, CM, Madhya Pradesh, Pushkar Singh Dhami, CM, Uttarakhand, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, CM, Himachal Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, Deputy CM, Uttar Pradesh, Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy CM, Himachal Pradesh, Brigadier Dr B.D Mishra, Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh.
Celebrities such as Meet Bros, Adivi Sesh, Sudhanshu Pandey and Aamir Ali also have applauded the initiative and pledged their support towards the cause of planting and nurturing trees.
The initiative has also been supported by notable names from India Inc, such as Rajiv Bajaj, CEO, Bajaj Auto and Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes Benz, India, recognising its potential for positive social impact.
India has lost 2.3 million hectares of tree cover in the last 23 years. The impact of which has been visible through intense heat waves, deficient rainfall in June in almost half of the country and a 35% increase in flash floods since 2019. Climate change is now affecting everyone’s lives more than ever before.
‘Project One Tree’ seeks to galvanize collective action to help repair the damage caused to the planet. The movement will be activated through educating the masses using diverse content formats across the News18 Network. In addition, the network will engage with key stakeholders including NGOs, ministries, and government entities to spread awareness.
The initiative will be guided by an esteemed advisory panel featuring prominent environmentalists and experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Among them include Founder of GiveMeTrees, Swami Prem Parivartan, popularly known as Peepal Baba, Apurva Bhandari, Founder of SankalpTaru, Director General of TERI, Vibha Dhawan and Dr. Erach Bharucha, Director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education & Research.
In the spirit of fostering community involvement and environmental sustainability, the initiative launched its maiden plantation drive on July 21, 2024 in Noida where News18 Network’s team and people from all walks of life came together, with a common goal – to plant and nurture trees.
Some key guests at the plantation included, Colonel VN Thapar, Father of Capt Vijyant Thapar, Rakesh Khatri, Nest Man of India and Anand Mohan Singh, Deputy Director, Horticulture, NOIDA Authority. They shared nuggets of wisdom around the environment and the role each one of us needs to play for the collective well-being of human beings and mother earth.
The initiative further aims to have similar plantation drives across different parts of the country, encouraging every Indian to plant trees, nurture them and drive the large change.