PNS/ NAINITAL
A special grove is all set to be launched in Nainital and Almora districts at the initiative of the social enterprise Grow-Trees.com to mark the birth anniversary of the late industrialist and philanthropist, Ratan Tata. The idea was conceived by Geeta Gopalakrishnan who was for many years an honorary fundraiser for Cancer patients at the Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata. The project will see four lakh trees planted across 17 villages in Nainital district and six in Almora district. This extensive green cover is part of Grow-Trees.com’s ‘Trees+ for the Himalayas’ plan and will be called the ‘Ratan Tata Memorial Forest’.
Speaking of the initiative, the co-founder of Grow-Trees.com Pradip Shah said that Tata was a global icon embodying strength, compassion and generosity with roots deeply implanted in the Indian ethos. “It is thus fitting that a flourishing green forest will honour his legacy and memorialise his contributions” he added.
The year-long campaign, running until December 28, 2025, invites individuals and corporates to write a tribute and dedicate trees to the ‘Ratan Tata Memorial Forest’ via https://www.grow-trees.com.
‘Ratan Tata Memorial Forest’ will also create 23 water bodies to store and recharge groundwater. It will also focus on educating girls from rural communities and training farmers in climate-resilient agriculture.
The forest will feature various species such as Banj, Bakian, Bhatula, Bhimal, Majuna, Glaucus Oak, Purple Orchid, Kachnar, Padam, Mediterranean Hackberry, Tej, Jamun, White Willow, Himalayan Mulberry and Indian Horse Chestnut.
