PNN

New Delhi [India], April 23: On the occasion of Earth Day 2026, environmental NGO Smiling Tree marked a remarkable milestone by completing over 5,000 environmental events and plantation drives, wherein it has planted over 11 lakh saplings as part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives.

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Driven by the passion and dedication of young eco-activists Aarav Kwatra and Alina Kwatra, Smiling Tree has rapidly grown into a powerful youth-led environmental movement in India. With nearly 4-5 years of active engagement in the environmental sector, the duo has been instrumental in mobilizing communities, particularly students and young citizens, to take meaningful action towards protecting the environment.

Founded by Dr Mukesh Kwatra, Smiling Tree has built a strong legacy of environmental stewardship over the past decade. Since its inception in 2012 with a "Go Green Walk," the organization has expanded its footprint across Delhi-NCR and beyond, planting over 11 lakh trees and saplings. Its unique "adopt a plant" philosophy ensures that each sapling is nurtured and cared for, reinforcing long-term ecological impact rather than one-time plantation drives. The organization has also led innovative initiatives such as vertical gardens using recycled plastic bottles, eco-brick and environment awareness campaigns, and anti-plastic drives, promoting sustainable living practices at the grassroots level.

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As part of its Earth Day 2026 celebrations, Smiling Tree organized a plantation drive at Modern School, Barakhamba Road on April 22. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from Principal Dr. Vijay Datta, along with faculty members and students, highlighting the importance of environmental awareness within educational institutions. The initiative aimed not only to increase green cover but also to instill a sense of responsibility among young minds towards nature conservation.

In another key initiative, Smiling Tree collaborated with the Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi to conduct a large-scale Environment Awareness Campaign. The campaign focused on reducing plastic consumption, encouraging eco-friendly alternatives, and promoting sustainable lifestyle choices among students and the wider community. Innovative art works made from used plastic bottles, caps and plastic straws were displayed at the Centre. The faculty and students enthusiastically participated and painted the art work together spreading awareness about the importance of adoption of eco-friendly lifestyle by individuals for a sustainable future. The campaign was very much in harmony with the Earth Day, 2026 theme, "Our Power, Our Planet'.

The event received valuable support from distinguished academicians, including Prof. Dilip K Bandyopadhyay, Prof. Shobha Bagai, and Prof. Suresh Kumar, further strengthening the initiative's impact and outreach.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukesh Kwatra said, "At Smiling Tree, we believe that real change begins with collective action. Our mission goes beyond planting trees--we aim to nurture a culture of environmental responsibility. Institutions like CIC have a unique role as hubs of innovation, research, and community engagement. The overwhelming participation from students, faculty, and communities inspires us to continue our journey towards a greener and more sustainable future."

With its growing network of volunteers, impactful partnerships, and youth-driven initiatives, Smiling Tree continues to set a benchmark in community-led environmental action. Its journey from a single awareness drive to thousands of successful events stands as a testament to the power of consistent efforts and shared responsibility in building a sustainable tomorrow.

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