Mumbai BMC School Encourages Students To Adopt Saplings

Mumbai, July 14, 2026: Tree plantation drives often end with a group photo, but one Mumbai school is taking a different path. At RC Mahim Mumbai Public School, students were given a responsibility that will continue long after the event ended.

During a tree plantation drive organized by the Sneh Asha Foundation, every participating student was asked to do more than plant a sapling. Each child adopted a tree and promised to care for it throughout the school year. The initiative aims to improve the survival rate of newly planted trees while helping students build a lifelong connection with nature.

Students Become Caretakers of Their Own Trees

Unlike traditional plantation events where trees are planted and later forgotten, students from Grade 6 and above were assigned individual saplings in the school garden. Their role now includes watering the plants, protecting them, and regularly monitoring their growth.

The Foundation will also follow the progress of every sapling during the academic year, turning a one-day environmental activity into a long-term learning experience.

Environmental experts have often pointed out that the success of plantation drives depends not only on planting trees but also on maintaining them. Many public campaigns across India now focus on improving the survival rate of saplings through community participation and regular care.

"A Tree Plantation Is a Promise," Says Foundation Founder

Addressing the students, Mrs. Siddhi Chauhan Jaiswal, Founder of the Sneh Asha Foundation, encouraged children to see every sapling as a friend rather than just another plant.

She urged students to nurture and protect the trees they planted, explaining that real environmental change comes through responsibility, not ceremonies.

According to her, planting a tree is only the beginning. The real achievement lies in ensuring that the sapling grows into a healthy tree over the years.

Supporting India's Green Mission

The event was presided over by Mrs. Snehalata Dumbre, Superintendent (Schools), City Zone, who connected the initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign.

She reminded students that trees play an essential role in providing clean air, maintaining ecological balance, supporting rainfall, and reducing the effects of climate change. She encouraged every child to view tree care as an act of gratitude toward nature and future generations.

The campaign reflects a growing national effort to increase green cover through public participation, with schools becoming important partners in promoting environmental awareness among young citizens.

Inspired by Maharashtra's Green Development Vision

The Foundation also highlighted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' vision of "Harit Maharashtra, Samruddha Maharashtra", which promotes sustainable development alongside environmental conservation.

Mrs. Chauhan Jaiswal told students that creating a greener Maharashtra cannot be achieved through government efforts alone. She emphasized that lasting environmental change depends on citizens—especially young people—who remain committed to caring for the trees they plant.

A Seed Pencil Carries the Message Beyond the Classroom

Every student also received a plantable seed pencil, giving the environmental campaign another practical dimension.

Once the pencil becomes too small to use, students can plant the remaining stub in soil, where it can grow into a plant. The simple gift reinforces the day's message that every small action can contribute to a greener future.

The seed pencil serves as a daily reminder that sustainability does not end after a single event. Instead, it becomes part of everyday life, encouraging children to continue making environmentally responsible choices.

Why Tree Care Matters More Than Tree Plantation

Across India, governments, schools, and social organizations continue to organize large-scale plantation drives. However, environmental experts consistently stress that the long-term success of these campaigns depends on the survival and maintenance of planted saplings rather than the number planted on a single day.

By asking students to adopt trees instead of simply planting them, the Sneh Asha Foundation's initiative focuses on responsibility, continuity, and environmental education—values that can create lasting impact far beyond one plantation drive.

The program demonstrates how schools can transform a traditional awareness event into an ongoing commitment, helping the next generation understand that protecting nature requires care every day, not just during special campaigns.