changeadminIndia’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in the 127th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, a monthly radio broadcast, highlighted Kapil Sharma’s environmental contributions, whom Change Started spoke to a few years back.
In his address, the Prime Minister praised the remarkable contribution of Kapil Sharma to the rejuvenation of water bodies in Bengaluru, also known as the city of lakes.
Kapil and his team have rejuvenated 40 wells and six lakes in Bengaluru and the surrounding areas, involving corporations and local people in his mission. The Prime Minister also commended the work of his organisation in tree-planting campaigns.
Passionate tree lover Kapil Sharma, whose love for Bengaluru and desire to make a positive impact in the city led to the formation of Say Trees in 2007. Since then, the organisation has been engaged in rejuvenating lakes, planting trees and creating forests in urban and rural regions across India.
In our conversation with Kapil, he shared his journey, motivation and the challenges he faced along the way. 
The initial phase of his environmental journey was driven by the anguish he felt when he witnessed century-old trees being cut for various development projects, such as road widening, metro rail construction, and other activities.
Despite working in the corporate sector from Monday to Friday, Kapil started planting trees around lakes during his free time, because it was easier to protect the saplings from animals and humans.
Over the years, Kapil Sharma supported his work through funding from corporations and individual donors. Apart from Bengaluru, Say Trees has rejuvenated many water bodies and planted more than 10 million trees in various parts of the country. Many of these trees are fruit trees that are also helping farmers earn additional income.
Kapil has extensively leveraged the Japanese Miyawaki technique to grow trees, creating forests that grow 10 times faster. Apart from lake rejuvenation, Say Trees have been planted in school campuses, railway campuses, army campuses, and hospitals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat monthly address, also highlighted a unique waste management initiative launched to clean up plastic waste in Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh.
The city has started Garbage Cafes, run by the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation, that provide a complete meal in exchange for plastic waste. If someone brings over 1 kilogram of plastic, they receive lunch or dinner; for 0.5 kilogram, they receive breakfast.
The Prime Minister stated that the inspiring examples from Ambikapur and Bengaluru ‘show that when you are determined, change is bound to take place’.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of mangroves along the seashore. As there are forests in the mountains and plains, which bind the soil together, mangroves do the same near the sea.
Mangroves grow in the salty water and marshy land of the sea and are an essential part of the marine ecosystem. They play an invaluable role during disasters such as tsunamis or cyclones.
He highlighted the work of the Gujarat Forest Department in mangrove conservation. Five years ago, the department began planting mangroves near Dholera, near Ahmedabad, and today, mangroves have spread over 3,500 hectares along the Dholera coast.
The effects of these mangroves are visible throughout the area, leading to an increase in dolphin numbers in the ecosystem. Crabs and other aquatic creatures have also increased in number, compared to earlier. Not only that, but migratory birds are also coming here in large numbers.
This has not only had a positive impact on the environment there, but it is also benefiting the fish farmers of Dholera. Apart from Dholera, mangrove plantation is also going on in full swing in Kutch, Gujarat. A ‘Mangrove Learning Centre’ has also been set up at Kori Creek.
The Prime Minister appreciated the value of trees and plants in society, as they are helpful in every place and contribute to the betterment of all living beings. He also quoted a text from ancient Hindu scriptures.
धन्या महीरूहा येभ्यो,
निराशां यान्ति नार्थिनः ||
That is, blessed are the trees and plants from whom those who seek do not return disappointed. We should plant trees wherever we live, too.
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