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By:

Shital Yogesh Sharma

12 June 2026 at 4:08:53 pm

One Person, One Tree: A Small Step Towards a Greener Future

The world today stands at a critical environmental crossroads. Climate change, rising temperatures, air pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and increasing natural disasters are no longer distant concerns-they are realities affecting communities across every continent. India, too, is witnessing these environmental changes through irregular rainfall, prolonged heat waves, declining groundwater levels, loss of green cover, and growing pollution in both urban and rural...

One Person, One Tree: A Small Step Towards a Greener Future

The world today stands at a critical environmental crossroads. Climate change, rising temperatures, air pollution, deforestation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and increasing natural disasters are no longer distant concerns-they are realities affecting communities across every continent. India, too, is witnessing these environmental changes through irregular rainfall, prolonged heat waves, declining groundwater levels, loss of green cover, and growing pollution in both urban and rural areas. While governments across the world continue to frame policies and implement environmental programs, the responsibility of protecting nature cannot remain limited to institutions alone. Environmental conservation is not only the duty of governments, industries, or organizations-it is the shared responsibility of every individual. In this context, the idea of “One Person, One Tree” emerges as a simple yet powerful movement capable of creating meaningful change. A tree is more than just a part of nature; it is a life-support system. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping maintain ecological balance. They reduce pollution, conserve water, improve soil fertility, provide shelter to wildlife, and help regulate temperature. In cities and villages alike, trees contribute to healthier environments and better quality of life. Today, one of the biggest environmental challenges before India and the world is the increasing carbon footprint caused by rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and changing lifestyles. Expanding cities often come at the cost of green spaces. Forests are being reduced, and concrete landscapes are replacing natural ecosystems. As a result, the Earth’s natural ability to balance climate conditions is weakening. However, environmental solutions do not always require large-scale interventions. Sometimes, collective action through small individual efforts can create transformational impact. If each person commits to planting and nurturing just one tree, the combined effect can be extraordinary. Imagine millions of people planting and caring for one tree each-this would lead to cleaner air, cooler surroundings, improved biodiversity, and stronger ecological resilience. But planting a tree is only the beginning. True environmental responsibility lies in nurturing that tree until it becomes self-sustaining. A sapling requires care, water, protection, and attention. Environmental conservation is not a one-day activity linked to occasions such as Environment Day-it is a continuous commitment. The concept of “One Person, One Tree” also carries an important social message. It encourages people to reconnect with nature and develop environmental awareness. When children plant trees, they learn responsibility. When communities come together for plantation drives, they build environmental consciousness. When institutions adopt green initiatives, they inspire collective action. India has always carried a rich tradition of respecting nature. Rivers, forests, mountains, and trees have been deeply connected to culture and daily life. Today, this traditional wisdom needs to be strengthened with modern environmental action. Sustainable living practices, reducing waste, conserving water, minimizing plastic use, and increasing green cover should become part of everyday life. The environmental crisis cannot be solved by governments alone. Policies and schemes are important, but lasting change happens when citizens actively participate. Every household, school, office, village, and city have a role to play. Environmental protection begins with individual decisions and grows through collective responsibility. The message is clear: Do not wait for others to act. Become part of the solution. One tree may seem small, but its impact can last for generations. One Person. One Tree. One Commitment. One Greener Planet. (The writer is an Environmental Studies Teacher based in Latur. Views personal.)

Knives out in legislature

Updated: Mar 21, 2025

Disha Salian

Mumbai: Death of celebrity manager Disha Salian in 2020 once again rocked the Maharashtra legislature on Thursday. While cabinet ministers Nitesh Rane and Shambhuraj Desai demanded that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray be arrested in the case, BJP MLA Amit Satam in the assembly and another BJP member Chitra Wagh in the council demanded that the report of SIT to probe Salian’s death be made public.


Incidentally, amidst repeated disruptions in both the houses, some members from the treasury benches were seen speaking in favour of Aditya Thackeray, while Shiv Sena (UBT) members like Adv Anil Parab were seen supporting the BJP members’ demand that the report of the SIT probe be made public. In addition, there were allegations and counter allegations and personal accusations among members from the treasury and opposition benches which led to heated debate on occasions.


The opposition termed the attempts from the treasury benches to link Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray’s name in the case, as a ‘conspiracy’.


“I think this matter has gone to the court. We have no idea what he (Disha’s father) has said, but Aaditya Thackeray is a mature leader, a young leader. The Bharatiya Janata Party is conspiring to defame him by putting pressure on him. We don’t need to answer to this conspiracy. The court will answer,” Ambadas Danve said.


Earlier in the day, when the house gathered for the business, Minister of State for Home appraised the assembly of the status in this case. “SIT has been formed to probe in the case. Their report has not been received as yet. However, the government shall act according to directives from the court,” the minister told the house.


Another BJP minister Nitesh Rane, however, said that since Satish Salian has levelled allegations against an MVA minister, that leader be treated like a common person and that everybody should be treated equally before the law. Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai too supported the demand. “Since the allegations are grave, the person in question should be immediately arrested and the case be investigated,” he said.


Later, while speaking to media in the legislature premises, Rane asked Uddhav Thackeray to come clean on the issue. “If they say that we are politicizing the issue, Uddhav Thackeray should also tell the people why he had called, not just once but twice, to the then union minister Narayan Rane urging him to save his son?” Rane said.


He also accused the opposition of shying away from coming clean on the issue. “If they feel that we are not telling the truth, they should say so in the house. But they are shying away from doing so. Bhaskar Jadhav, who is always aggressive, was nowhere to be seen when this issue came up in the house. Sunil Prabhu too escaped the house under the pretext of a phone call. I challenge them to say that whatever I said on the issue is wrong,” Rane said.


He also said that Aditya Thackeray should resign on moral grounds till his name is cleared in the case.


BJP MLA Amit Satam demanded that the details of the SIT probe be made public so that the people would know if the probe is headed in right direction.


Interestingly, while the ruling parties were targeting the opposition in the case, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar surprised all with his unexpected support to Thackerays. “I do not have any evidences in the case. But if her father has made any fresh allegations that needs to be investigated thoroughly. The assembly can discuss the issue at length tomorrow. In the meanwhile, members like Rane, who seem to have some evidences in the case should hand them over to the investigating agencies and help the probe,” he told the house.


Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Gaikwad and Sheetal Mhatre too toed the line and demanded that more and more evidences should come forth.


Similarly, when members of treasury benches were pushing for revealing the details of the probe till date to the public, Shiv Sena (UBT) member Anil Parab supported the demand. “Doing that shall conclusively prove the innocence of Aditya Thackeray,” he said.

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