Bengaluru, November 25, 2024: People’s Planet, an NGO dedicated to environmental conservation was officially launched on November 16, 2024 at St. Joseph’s University. The inaugural event was graced by the Chairman of BDA and MLA, Sri N.A. Haris; Environmentalist Amith Hegde; and Actor Shreyash Suri. The event also honored Mr. Vadayakkandy Narayanan, Environmentalist and Mr. Mohamed Wazeer, Co-founder of Treetag for their contributions in this space.
People’s Planet introduced its ‘Reclaim Bengaluru’ initiative during the inaugural event, a campaign dedicated to restoring the city’s lost greenery. The initiative, in collaboration with the NA Haris Foundation, marks a significant step in advancing reforestation, community education, and sustainable practices across India. It will extend to multiple locations across the city. This initiative is a key part of People’s Planet’s broader mission to plant one million trees across India by 2025, uniting communities from all walks of life.
People’s Planet empowers local communities to take ownership of environmental initiatives while using technology to ensure transparency. For example, every tree planted is geo-tagged to provide detailed tracking and documentation. This process commenced with the first sapling planted by Sri. N.A. Haris at the St. Joseph's University campus.
Planting the first of many saplings, Sri N.A. Haris said, “Today, we take a significant step toward securing a greener future. Planting trees is not just about preserving nature; it is about safeguarding our communities, our health, and our planet. Let this initiative inspire every individual to take action. Together, we can build a sustainable tomorrow for future generations”
Commenting on the initiative, Jayani Bennheim, Founder of People’s Planet said “With Reclaim Bengaluru, we are taking decisive steps to restore the city’s green cover by planting native trees and empowering local communities to take charge of their environment. Bengaluru’s green identity has been diminished by urbanization, and this initiative sets in motion real change that will inspire other cities across India to follow suit.”
Jayani has been a GGA Ambassador for India since 2016. Her projects have spanned reforestation, including planting one lakh tree saplings annually, education, providing essential healthcare, and establishing community-based education centers.
As part of its mission, People’s Planet will actively work to expand its reach across India. Over the next three years, the NGO plans to establish partnerships with local communities and corporations, aiming to foster a global movement for environmental conservation.
