Munish Sood
Mandi
A small youth organisation in Mandi has shown that meaningful change does not always require big resources—sometimes, all it takes is a collective resolve and the willingness to act.
Members of Baba Balakripi Yuva Mandal Matt came together to launch a plantation drive in the adjoining DPF Gandharv forest, taking a simple but powerful pledge to give something back to nature. Within a single day, the group, joined by children and local residents, planted around 200 saplings, turning their resolve into action.
Saplings of ban, jamun, reetha, amla, bhede, harad, belpatra and deodar were planted during the campaign. The initiative was led by Yuva Mandal president Dheeraj, with members and volunteers participating enthusiastically throughout the day.
What makes the initiative significant is not merely the number of saplings planted, but the message behind it. At a time when growing urbanisation and human interference are putting increasing pressure on forests, the youth group has chosen to remind society that protecting the environment is not the responsibility of governments alone. Every individual and every community can contribute.
The campaign also carries a message for the younger generation, particularly at a time when many young people are being pulled towards substance abuse and other destructive paths. The members believe that youth energy can be channelled into constructive activities that can transform not only individual lives but society as a whole.
“Our organisation may be small, but our resolve is not. Planting a sapling is only the beginning; the real responsibility is to protect it, nurture it and ensure that it grows into a tree for future generations,” said Yuva Mandal president Dheeraj.
He said the plantation drive was intended to inspire more young people to come forward for social and environmental causes. “If a group of young people can come together and plant 200 trees, many more communities can do the same. We want our youth to understand that their strength can be used to build something meaningful rather than destroy their own future,” he said.
The participation of children added another dimension to the campaign. The youngsters joined the plantation activity with enthusiasm, learning first-hand that environmental protection begins with small acts of responsibility.
Members Jitendra Sharma, Vinay Sharma, Pankaj Thakur, Arun Kumar, Dalip Sharma, Tarachand Sharma, Vijay Sharma, Tanuja Sharma, Dinesh Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Anoop Sharma, Anoop Kapoor Meenakshi Sharma and Babita Sharma, along with other members of the Yuva Mandal, participated in the drive.
The organisers said the campaign would not end with planting saplings. The group plans to undertake further plantation drives and focus on the survival and care of the trees so that the saplings can grow into a lasting green legacy.
The message from the young volunteers is clear: change begins when people stop waiting for someone else to act. A small group, united by a common purpose, can plant not just trees but hope for a greener and healthier future.
Their resolve: Make Mandi greener, one tree at a time.
