In the midst of Delhi’s persistent air pollution and environmental challenges, Swami Prem Parivartan, widely known as “Peepal Baba,” continues his nearly five-decade effort to restore green cover across India. The 60-year-old environmentalist, whose campaign originated from a childhood love of trees, has mobilized volunteers and communities to plant millions of trees nationwide.
Peepal Baba traces his tree-planting journey back to his 11th birthday, when he planted his first saplings, including the sacred Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa). Revered across India for its broad canopy and cultural significance, the Peepal has served as a symbol of hope and shelter for generations. For Parivartan, it represents a vital natural “cooling tower” in a densely populated and warming country.
Discarding a potential academic career, Parivartan embarked on extensive travels across India by scooter, promoting tree planting and environmental stewardship. His journeys covered an estimated 540,000 kilometers, equivalent to circling the globe more than a dozen times. He adopted the moniker “Peepal Baba” after a villager’s remark, a title he felt resonated more authentically than the term “environmentalist.” Over decades, he and his volunteers have planted or preserved an estimated 26 million trees, restoring vegetation across approximately 270,000 hectares—a land area more than twice that of Delhi itself.
Despite these substantial figures, Peepal Baba emphasizes that the precise number of trees is not the central measure of success. Instead, he focuses on sustainable land management and the long-term care necessary for saplings to thrive. “It is not about planting one tree or two trees or 1,000 trees. It’s about how you manage the land on which those plants have been planted,” he said.
Operating initially through community donations, Peepal Baba’s trust has recently garnered support from major corporate donors, enabling an expansion of its initiatives. The movement now boasts a large social media presence, with over 1.6 million followers on Instagram, helping to engage a younger demographic and spread awareness more broadly.
Parivartan’s environmental philosophy extends beyond tree planting to include soil restoration, underscoring the importance of nurturing the earth beneath the plants. “Every civilization that respected its soil prospered; everyone that ignored it perished,” he said. In urban hubs like Delhi, where pollution and heat pose constant threats, he advocates a straightforward solution: continually planting trees and ensuring their survival over time.
As India confronts severe ecological challenges amid rapid urbanization and climate change, Peepal Baba’s grassroots campaign serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of localized, sustained environmental action. “When people ask, ‘How many?’ I answer, ‘As many as it takes to give the Earth a second chance,’” he said.