As part of the “One Day for Nature” campaign, special children celebrated Raksha Bandhan in a unique way by planting trees and spreading the message of “Vruksha Bandhan” (bonding with trees). ALIVE Charitable Trust (formerly Swastishree), has been conducting this initiative every monsoon since 2010 by planting native tree species at different locations. This year marked the 16th edition of the program.

At Uravade village on Mulshi Road, 61 special children and staff from Aniket Sevabhavi Sanstha along with 61 students from Arihant Institute of Business Management, Bavdhan, took part in the plantation drive. A total of 30 saplings were planted, including species such as banyan, flame of the forest, pomegranate, amaltas, custard apple, jackfruit, bauhinia, arjun, jamun, champaka, ashoka, black cutch, guava, silk cotton, pongamia, mango, and coral tree.

The event beautifully combined Raksha Bandhan with Vruksha Bandhan. Students from Arihant Institute tied rakhis to special children, who in turn tied rakhis back, celebrating bonds of care and togetherness. For many special children, it was their first experience of both Raksha Bandhan and a tree plantation drive — a moment of double joy. They will now take care of the saplings planted during the program. This gesture deeply moved Aniket Sanstha’s founder, Kalpana Varpe, who said that the mingling of special and regular children created moments of happiness and inclusion.

Program coordinator Prof. Sameer Patil highlighted the efforts of Aniket Sanstha in supporting children with various conditions and explained how the plantation was a way of connecting them with nature and society. ALIVE’s founder-president and ornithologist, Umesh Waghela, introduced participants to the importance of native tree species in biodiversity. He emphasized that rapid urbanization, road widening, and development projects are leading to large-scale tree loss, resulting in poor air quality and rising temperatures. “Trees form an ecosystem, a vital component of biodiversity. Every breath we take depends on the oxygen they produce. Life without trees is impossible,” he reminded the audience.

Over the years, this initiative by ALIVE has transformed many saplings into large trees now bearing flowers and fruits. The Trust’s secretary, Chaitanya Rajarshi, extended a vote of thanks. Coordination was done by Sameer Patil and Rajendra Kamble, with valuable support from nature enthusiast Yogesh Choudhary.