Greenman Viral Desai’s ‘Tree Ganesha’ Promotes Urban Forests

Surat : In a unique initiative to raise environmental awareness, Viral Desai, popularly known as the Greenman of Surat, has launched his annual ‘Tree Ganesha’ campaign during the Ganeshotsava festival. A renowned environmentalist, Desai has consistently leveraged the festival as a platform to engage the youth in crucial environmental issues, and this year is no different.

The ‘Tree Ganesha’ campaign, now in its seventh year, runs for ten days during the Ganesh festival, attracting participation from more than 5,000 students across various schools and colleges in Surat. These young participants are not only encouraged to celebrate Ganeshotsava with traditional fervor but also to embrace their roles as “Environmental Warriors” by actively contributing to nature conservation efforts.

This year’s theme, “Let’s Create Urban Forests,” is centered around the importance of increasing green cover in cities. Viral Desai’s message is clear: with the rapid urbanization of cities like Surat, creating urban forests is essential to combating pollution, mitigating the effects of climate change, and improving air quality. Through the campaign, students are educated on the long-term benefits of planting trees and protecting natural resources in urban areas.

A key aspect of the campaign is the distribution of saplings to students, who are encouraged to plant them at home or in their schools, promoting individual responsibility toward environmental conservation. As Desai puts it, “Each tree planted by these young environmental warriors is a step toward a healthier, greener future. Our aim is to make cities greener and more sustainable through urban forests.”

In addition to student participation, the ‘Tree Ganesha’ campaign has garnered the support of several government bodies, including the Surat Police, Gujarat Forest Department, and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). Their involvement underscores the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges. Together, they help ensure that the campaign is successfully implemented and widely recognized across the region.

Viral Desai emphasized the campaign’s overarching goal: “The primary objective of the Tree Ganesha campaign is to make cities greener and raise environmental awareness, especially among the youth. Over the past seven years, we have reached nearly 100,000 students, instilling in them the value of environmental protection.”

In addition to creating urban forests, Desai’s campaign is linked with his broader initiative, “Satyagraha Against Pollution and Climate Change,” which motivates people to take meaningful steps to protect the environment. The initiative encourages students and the general public to take active roles in combating climate change and pollution through sustained efforts like tree planting, reducing waste, and conserving energy.

The ‘Tree Ganesha’ campaign stands out as a one-of-a-kind effort during the Ganesh festival in Gujarat, where environmental awareness takes center stage for ten days. By integrating cultural and spiritual practices with a message of sustainability, Viral Desai is setting an inspiring example for how festivals can serve as platforms for change.