A not-for-profit organisation is on a mission to plant 1 billion native trees in Punjab with an aim to mitigate climate change, recharge groundwater, and restore biodiversity and support the local communities by generating livelihoods.

The organisation has announced that it has been able to plant over 3 million native trees, transforming barren stretches of land in Punjab into living, breathing forests. Over the past six years, The Billion Tree Project has covered 980 acres of barren and fallow land—an area equal to 742 football fields—with beautiful native trees with a remarkable survival rate of nearly 90%. These trees have flourished into thriving ecosystems, teeming with birds, butterflies, insects, and other life forms crucial to Punjab’s biodiversity.

The Billion Tree Project also engages village communities and Panchayats, and the local MGNREGA workforce for plantation work, thereby creating jobs.

Native trees planted

Planted at a density of approximately 3,000 per acre under ‘The Billion Tree Project’, native trees like Faras (athel pine), Laberra (desert teak), Desi Kikar (Babul or Indian gum tree), Desi Beri (jujube), Reru (ronjh) and Phulai (Amritsar gum) are resilient and better at recharging groundwater. This is also relevant to fight Punjab’s imminent water crisis. In the long run, increasing Punjab’s forest cover by 1-2% can help prevent the rapid depletion of groundwater.

Combating Climate Change

These forests are not only enhancing the state’s green cover but also supporting local communities by recharging groundwater, improving the air, thereby contributing in the fight against climate change.

Trees contribute to mitigating climate change by soaking up atmospheric carbon like a sponge, making the air cooler and cleaner. The 3 million-plus trees planted under Roundglass Foundation’s ‘The Billion Tree Project’ have captured or sequestered about 36,000 tons of carbon, equivalent to removing 7,609 petrol vehicles from the road, as per a statement released by the foundation.

Punjab’s greenery shrunk dramatically over last 50 years

In a state where greenery has shrunk dramatically over the last 50 years, just 3.67% of Punjab’s vast stretch is cloaked in tree cover. For years, Punjab has grappled with environmental challenges left behind by deforestation, aggressive farming, and rapid urban sprawl. The Billion Tree Project is aimed to enhance green cover and heal the land.

Highlighting impact of the tree plantation initiative, Vishal Chowla, Leader, Rounglass Foundation said, “Trees are nature’s ultimate balancing force in our increasingly fragile ecosystems. Each tree we plant functions as a living solution to multiple environmental challenges such as global warming, air pollution, depleting groundwater and loss of biodiversity.”

Support from administration, celebrities

Over the past six years, the foundation has received support from the local administration, police, volunteers, academia, and celebrities in its tree plantation initiative. In 2024, big names from the film and music industry like Diljit Dosanjh, Neeru Bajwa, Jasmin Bhasin, Babbu Mann, Gippy Grewal, Raageshwari, and Gurpreet Ghuggi visited the plantation sites and planted trees. Actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh called tree plantation “true sewa”.

“The people of Punjab are our greatest champions, and we are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support,” Chowla added. He also acknowledged the passion and untiring efforts of his team in achieving this incredible milestone. “On Earth Day, we honour this spirit and reiterate our commitment to planting 1 billion trees in Punjab,” he added.