It has become impossible to breathe fresh and pure air in cities. Deforestation is one of the most critical environmental issues that almost all Indian cities are facing currently. To accommodate increasing population, vast areas that once used to have huge forest cover have experienced massive cutting down of trees. Between 2005 and 2017, India’s capital Delhi lost about 112,000 trees. Kolkata’s tree cover fell from 23.4% to 7.3% over 20 years; while its built-up area increased by 190%. Almost all major cities in India have the same situation leading to critical problems that are directly affecting human lives.

Understanding the urgent need of environmental conservation, DAF has been organising regular tree plantation drives. These tree plantation drives have been running in collaboration with the local volunteers, schools and colleges.  Some tree species identified for the purpose are Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Palas (Butea monosperma), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegate), Bel (Aegle marmelos), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Kadam (Neolamarckia cadamba), Champa (Michelia), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), and Ashoka (Saraca asoca) among others. 

• Since 2014, thousands of trees have been planted to increase the forest and tree cover in Delhi NCR.
• Every volunteer associated with this drive is committed to plant saplings regularly and motivate people to donate trees instead of money and other material to temple areas.
• DAF has been engaged in making people aware of the noxious outcomes of deforestation and mobilizing them to participate in tree plantation drives.
• We are working hard to restore the green area around the cities and improve the quality of air and reduce pollution.
• These drives have been appreciated well which is attended by all age groups of men, women and children.
• DAF encourages city dwellers to take the responsibility of organizing such drives on a regular basis in their areas.
• Participants of these drives are resolved to plant as many trees as possible in their vicinity.
• As a result of these drives, a behavioural change in people has been seen, who earlier took deforestation for granted. Now, people talk about the adverse impact of cutting trees.