In the face of India’s mounting environmental challenges, Swami Prem Parivartan—widely known as “Peepal Baba” or “tree father”—has dedicated nearly five decades to a grassroots movement aimed at restoring the country’s green cover. His initiative has grown from a childhood passion into one of India’s largest tree-planting campaigns, focusing on the simple yet crucial act of planting and nurturing trees to combat the effects of urban pollution and land degradation.

Based in Delhi, a densely populated megacity of approximately 30 million residents struggling with severe air pollution, Peepal Baba has mobilized volunteers, communities, and corporate donors to plant millions of trees across the country. Although he resists focusing on precise numbers, his organization estimates it has planted or preserved around 26 million trees, rehabilitating more than 270,000 hectares—an area more than twice the size of Delhi itself.

Peepal Baba’s journey began in his youth, inspired by his grandmother and a fondness for tending gardens. He planted his first saplings on his 11th birthday, including the sacred peepal tree (Ficus religiosa), which holds cultural and religious significance in India. Over time, his mission evolved from a solitary effort to a widespread movement, as he travelled extensively throughout India to promote tree planting and soil conservation.

Rejecting a conventional academic career after university, Peepal Baba took to the roads aboard his scooter, covering an estimated 540,000 kilometers—roughly equivalent to circling the globe more than 13 times—to engage with local communities. His nickname, bestowed by a villager, quickly became a recognizable symbol of his work. He often slept wherever shelter was available, demonstrating a personal commitment that has helped build trust and collaboration with those he meets.

Beyond planting trees, his approach emphasizes the importance of soil restoration as a foundation for sustainable environmental recovery. Peepal Baba underscores the connection between healthy soil and thriving civilizations, cautioning that modern development has sometimes overlooked this vital relationship. “Every civilization that respected its soil prospered; everyone that ignored it perished,” he has said.

The trust he leads has expanded its reach through social media, with more than 1.6 million followers on Instagram, and a growing network of volunteers to sustain its efforts. While the exact scale of his work may be difficult to quantify, Peepal Baba maintains that the goal is clear: to “plant a tree, care for it, and make sure it survives,” doing “as many as it takes to give the Earth a second chance.”