This village in India plants 111 trees every time a girl child is born

Piplantri is a small village located in the Rajsamand district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. In the early 2000s, the village was facing a number of environmental and social challenges, including soil erosion, water scarcity, and a declining population. In response to these challenges, the villagers of Piplantri decided to take action and implement a unique and innovative solution: they began planting 111 trees every time a girl child was born.

The idea behind the tree planting initiative was to not only improve the environment and combat soil erosion, but also to create a sense of community ownership and responsibility for the village's natural resources. By planting 111 trees for each girl child, the villagers were able to create a sense of pride and ownership among the community, and to ensure that the trees would be properly cared for and protected.

The tree planting initiative in Piplantri has had a number of positive impacts on the village and its community. It has helped to improve the local environment, increase the availability of water, and provide habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. It has also helped to create a sense of community pride and ownership among the villagers, and to encourage the responsible use and management of the village's natural resources.

In addition to these environmental and social benefits, the tree planting initiative in Piplantri has also had a number of economic benefits. The trees have provided a source of income for the villagers through the sale of timber and non-timber forest products, and they have also attracted tourists to the village, boosting the local economy.

Overall, the tree planting initiative in Piplantri is a unique and innovative example of how a small community can take action to address environmental and social challenges, and create positive change. It is a testament to the power of community action and the many benefits that trees can provide.

How it started ?

The village of Piplantri in the Indian state of Rajasthan implemented a tree planting initiative in which 111 trees were planted for every girl child born in the village. This initiative was started by the village's former sarpanch, Shyam Sundar Paliwal, in memory of his daughter Kiran, who passed away due to dehydration at the age of 18.

In order to ensure that there would never be a shortage of water in the village, Paliwal initiated the tree planting initiative in order to increase the village's green cover and improve the local environment. On average, around 60 girls are born in Piplantri every year, and as a result, the tree planting initiative has contributed significantly to the village's green cover and has had a number of positive impacts on the environment and the community.

What has been its impact?

Some of the key impacts of this initiative include:

1. Improved environment: By planting 111 trees for each girl child born in the village, the tree planting initiative has contributed significantly to the village's green cover, helping to improve the local environment and combat soil erosion.

2. Increased availability of water: The trees planted as part of the initiative have helped to increase the availability of water in the village, as they help to retain moisture in the soil and create a more humid microclimate.

3. Habitat for plants and animals: The trees planted as part of the initiative have provided habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species, helping to create a more diverse and thriving ecosystem.

4. Community pride and ownership: The tree planting initiative has helped to create a sense of pride and ownership among the villagers, as they are responsible for caring for and protecting the trees.

5. Economic benefits: The trees have provided a source of income for the villagers through the sale of timber and non-timber forest products, and they have also attracted tourists to the village, boosting the local economy.