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Young people, down to children as young as three year-old Renuka from India are doing more than talking. They are taking action – planting trees and learning to restore land. 

Such is their hunger for change, over 2,500 students enthusiastic for change travelled from across Hyderabad, India, for an enriching day dedicated to environmental conservation and land restoration.

The “Youth Acts – Planting for a Sustainable Future” event held at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the global headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute in Hyderabad, was co-hosted by  the G20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), in collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute.

Young people got hands-on experience in environmental conservation and fun learning activities focused on the vital role of land restoration as a solution to climate change and biodiversity loss.

The event was more than just a tree-planting initiative. 

It was a comprehensive program aiming to instil a deep sense of environmental stewardship among young people. It had interactive sessions, expert talks and engaging activities to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on the planet.

The day began with thousands of excited faces gathering at the plantation site to get their hands dirty. 

With wide smiles and eager hands, they posed fun questions as they worked. 

“How tall will this tree grow?” one asked. “Can we come back to see our trees in a few years?,” another quipped.

Their enthusiasm and joy in connecting with nature was inspiring. 

A most heartwarming moment was when three-year-old green thumb, Renuka, joined Dr Muralee Thummarukudy, G20 GLI Director, to plant a tree sapling.

Following the planting exercise, students gathered at the meditation hall to listen to expert talks. 

Dr Thummarukudy’s talk about our disconnection from the land was captivating. 

He said many of us do not realize where our food, medicines and clothes come from, and stressed that such an understanding is essential to appreciate the need to protect our land. 

His words resonated deeply with everyone present, and underscored the critical role of youth in environmental conservation.

The excitement continued with a quiz on UNCCD’s G20 GLI. Students demonstrated their preparation and enthusiasm. Their impressive knowledge and eagerness made for a lively and engaging quiz.

Dr V. Ramakantha, IFS (Retd), Chairman of Forests by Heartfulness, shared his thoughts. 

“The Heartfulness Institute is thrilled to partner with the G20 Global Land Initiative, UNCCD, for this pivotal event. Our goal is to inspire and equip young minds with the knowledge and passion needed to restore and protect our natural environment. Through initiatives like these, we can collectively work towards a greener, healthier world,” he said.

The event marks an important step in global land restoration efforts. 

Involving youth in meaningful environmental activities such as these not only help to restore degraded land but also sow the seeds for a sustainable future. 

Working with children lays the foundation for a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of precious, but dwindling, natural resources.

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