500 Trees. 75 People. One Collective Commitment to the Land
In the upper stretches of Pungaon village, nestled in Uttarakhand’s Gairsain block (Chamoli district), 75 community members came together to turn an overlooked patch of land into a green corridor of possibility.
The site, perched above the village, had long remained underused. With only seasonal grass available, villagers—particularly women—often struggled to source reliable fodder for livestock. Stored grass would rot over time, and with the monsoons, the barren slope became prone to landslides, posing a risk to lives and livelihoods.
Rather than wait for external solutions, the people of Pungaon took initiative. In a single day of collective effort, they planted 500 native trees—each one a small promise of future safety, sustenance, and environmental balance.
Community Action Backed by Local Wisdom
Of the 500 saplings:
- 150 Banj (Quercus) trees, 25 Deodar (Cedrous Deodara), and 25 Tejpata (Indian Bay Leaf) were provided by the Forest Department.
- The remaining 300 Banj saplings were sourced and planted by the village women themselves—a powerful example of local initiative and ecological knowledge.
These trees were not just planted—they were chosen with care. Each species contributes uniquely:
- Banj enables fodder needs and soil stability.
- Deodar enables slope reinforcement and long-term forestation.
- Tejpata offers potential for aromatic leaf harvesting, enhancing future livelihoods.
Forest Department saplings channelised to communities
From Empty Slope to Eco-Shield
For Pungaon, this wasn’t a plantation drive—it was a step towards self-reliance. The planted trees will:
- Mitigate landslide risk over time.
- Enhance year-round fodder access for livestock.
- Create micro-climatic balance and water retention capacity in the region.
What began as a community gathering for one day now holds the potential to reshape the village’s environmental resilience for years to come.
Community planting day in full action
Be a Part of Change
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
