Jungle Man Of India, VVS Laxman, Saina Nehwal & Others Take Challenge To Plant Trees

Many internet challenges have come and gone, but none like the ‘Hara Hai Toh Bhara Hai’ challenge which has been urging opinion makers, influencers and citizens to plant a sapling and increase the green cover in India. Hyderabad based social enterprise, Igniting Minds launched the #GreenChallange on July 17, to commemorate the death anniversary of India’s former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam which was on July 27.

#HaraHaiTohBharaHai , Plant 3 Trees and Nurture them for 3 years, Pass the Challenge to 3 others, A Green Revolution, A Green Resolution. pic.twitter.com/Qd4IE8qD9P

— Igniting Minds (@IgnitingMindsin) July 28, 2018

As a part of the challenge, Igniting Minds have been urging people to plant three saplings each and nurture them for the next three years. Those who accept the challenge will have to pass it on to others using their hashtag on Twitter “#GreenChallenge”, thereby continuing the chain and leading to the planting of as many trees as possible.

What is the #GreenChallenge?

The official press release for the challenge on the Igniting Minds website states that each plant is going to be geotagged and those who plant the trees will be called as Vanamali and those who nurture the plants for three years will be called as Vanamitra. What started as a simple challenge has now snowballed into a revolution with more and more people accepting the task. This challenge has been further propelled and supported by the Telangana government as a part of its 2015 ‘Haritha Haram’ initiative which aims to increase the state’s green cover to 33%.

According to data available on Igniting Minds, over the last few weeks, a total of 3.64 million people have accepted the challenge whereas, 4.6 million saplings have already been planted. Now, Igniting Minds plans to reach more people and plant 100 million trees by October 15, 2018, which is also Dr Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary. The challenge has been taken up by several influential people including policymakers, players, activists and environmentalists among other, which is adding to the popularity factor of this now viral challenge.

Who accepted the challenge?

One among many such personalities was activist Jadav Payeng who took the challenge right at the onset. Padmashree awardee Jadav Payeng is frequently dubbed as the ‘Forest Man Of India’ who created 1,360 acres of dense green forest in Assam, single-handedly. Reportedly, he challenged every citizen including the President to plant and nurture three saplings for three years.

Accomplished #GreenChallenge ,#HaraHaitohBharahai now I am appealing to accept my #GreenChallenge to @sarbanandsonwal @himantabiswa @KirenRijiju @paponmusic @thekiranbedi ji to plant 3 saplings and continue the chain to make the world �� Green – Jadav Payeng pic.twitter.com/HtibVFwsLm

— Igniting Minds (@IgnitingMindsin) August 5, 2018

On August 9, coach and shuttler Pullela Gopichand accepted the challenge after it was thrown at him by filmmaker SS Rajamouli. He posted images of himself planting trees and in turn challenged the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Union minister of sports Rajyavardhan Rathore, shooter Abhinav Bindra and actor Akshay Kumar. Other sportspersons who have accepted the challenge are V V S Laxman and Saina Nehwal.

Pullela Gopichand – Nominated PM "Narendra Modi" For #HaraHaiTohBharaHai, #GreenChallenge | IGNITING MINDS, Educate, Engage,Empower pic.twitter.com/RfpnpPwIas

— Igniting Minds (@IgnitingMindsin) August 10, 2018

Not only that but politicians and civil servants in Telangana have also become a part of the challenge. People including Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao, Officer on Special Duty in Chief Minister’s Office Priyanka Verghese were among some of the many who accepted the challenge. Not only that but the challenge has gone viral globally too.

Igniting Minds – Hara Hai Toh Baara Hai Challenge was accepted by Smt. Priyanka Varges IFS OSD to @TelanganaCMO and Planted 3 trees at her residency. She Further nominates @RaoKavitha @Collector_MDL and #SmitaSabharwal pic.twitter.com/TMG4cKeZ5x

— Igniting Minds (@IgnitingMindsin) July 17, 2018

The Logical Indian take

Green cover in the country has been depleting at an alarming rate. At times like these, challenges like these is a positive step forward in restoring the trees which are lost. The Logical Indian urges more and more people to partake in the challenge and make the world a greener place.

One can participate in the Hara Hai Toh Bhara Hai #GreenChallenge here.

Also Read: This Mumbai Family Planted Over 5,500 Saplings In 17 Years, Turning Barren Land Into Butterfly Garden