SPEEHA International’s environment conservation drive, plants 3000+ trees
SPEEHA, Society for Preservation of Healthy Environment and Ecology and Heritage of Agra(a registered NGO in Agra, India) has Chapters across the globe and has been at the forefront of conserving Environment, Ecology and Heritage in various cities where it is has members. Since its inception in 2006, SPHEEHA has planted thousands of trees and commits itself to their maintenance and upkeep for 3 years after the plantation to ensure that the plants can survive on their own. It has a record of ensuring 81.4% survival of the trees it has planted over the past 14 years. The importance of tree plantation has only increased since 29th July 2019 which was marked as the Earth Overshoot Day; which implies that the global ecological footprint (consumption of bio resources) exceeded the natural global bio-capacity or the ability of our planet to regenerate natural resources on its own.
This year on 1st August 2020, since mass assembly of people is restricted and/or prohibited in many places, SPEEHA members planted thousands of trees (suiting the natural habitat of the location in which they are planted) in over 115 locations across the globe where they could assemble in minimal numbers with social distancing norms. Where assembly of people was not possible, the members planted in their respective homes /communities, spread across 75 cities in 4 continents. Over 1000 volunteers participated in this year’s SPHEEHA International Tree plantation drive and have planted over 3000 trees of approximately 60 varieties, primarily comprising of teak, fruit bearing trees, medicinal plants, bamboo, spices and herbs. The unique aspect of the plantation was that these 115 locations live streamed the plantation, co-ordinated by SPHEEHA’s headquarters at Agra, India.
The Region of Maharashtra and Gujarat under the aegis of M&G Radhasoami Satsang Association (MGRSA) also actively participated in the global event. During a virtual meeting on 26.07.2020 the Region took the onus of planting at least 1000 trees in MGRSA by end 2021. We Already have about 800 trees and 400 pots being well maintained in various satsang colonies and satsang premises across the region The new target for 1000 plantation seems very much in reach, as already a total of 460 plants (121 in ground & 339 in pots) have been planted in the MGRSA region, across 10 Branches and 5 Sastang Centers. MGRSA Regional President Sh. P S Malhotraji expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the overwhelming response from all the Branches and the Satsang Centres of the MGRSA for their participation in the International Tree Plantation Day held on 1.08.2020.
The MGRSA region hopes that this will set an example for others also to emulate and make their contribution to the Environment and treat it as a community to which we all belong.