An environmental initiative that began in Kailashahar has grown into a wider tree plantation campaign across Tripura. The NGO Go Green Volunteers has planted more than 20,000 saplings across Unakoti district and other parts of the state since July 2023. Operating under its “Back to Nature” mission, the organisation focuses on plantation, sapling care and environmental awareness. Around 50 volunteers, including women, support the campaign. The group also promotes waste management by reusing discarded plastic bottles to protect young plants.
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Key Facts
- Organisation: Go Green Volunteers
- Mission: “Back to Nature”
- Started: July 2023
- Volunteers: Around 50
- Saplings planted: More than 20,000
- Main area: Unakoti district and other parts of Tripura
- Current survival rate: Around 60%
- First-year survival rate: 84%
- Plastic bottles reused: Around 60,000
Tree Plantation Campaign Expands
Go Green Volunteers started its environmental campaign with support from the Kailashahar Municipal Council, Kailashahar Sub-Divisional Administration and Kailashahar Press Club.
Since then, the organisation has expanded its activities beyond Kailashahar. Volunteers mainly focus on roadside and institutional plantations while working with government departments, schools and local authorities.
The group aims to improve green cover while creating greater awareness about environmental protection among local communities.
Focus on Native Plants
According to founding member Mrinal Kanti Sinha, the organisation generally selects native fruit-bearing and medicinal species for plantation drives.
The group also gives attention to the maintenance of planted saplings. At present, around 60 per cent of the saplings have survived, while several surviving plants have already grown close to adult height.
During the organisation’s first year, the plantations recorded an 84 per cent survival rate. However, Sinha said some plants later died because of alleged vandalism and infrastructure development.
Plantation Across Key Locations
Go Green Volunteers has carried out plantation drives at several locations in and around Kailashahar.
These include Pecharthal JNB, Bilashpur Sringeri Math, Ramakrishna Math and Mission Road, Kailashahar Airport Road and the approach road to Vidyanagar School.
The organisation continues to work with institutions and local authorities to identify suitable locations for new plantations.
Plastic Waste Used to Protect Saplings
The organisation has also linked its plantation campaign with waste management.
In partnership with the Unakoti Forest Sub-Division, Go Green Volunteers launched the “Green Guards” project. Under this initiative, volunteers reuse discarded plastic bottles as protective guards around young saplings.
According to the organisation, volunteers have used around 60,000 waste plastic bottles through the project.
The initiative aims to address two environmental concerns at the same time: protecting young trees and reducing plastic waste.
Grassroots Environmental Campaign in Tripura
With around 50 volunteers, Go Green Volunteers continues to expand its environmental activities across Tripura.
The organisation’s work combines tree plantation, sapling maintenance, environmental awareness and plastic waste management. Its activities also highlight the role that local communities and volunteer groups can play in protecting the environment.
Questions and Answers
When did Go Green Volunteers begin its plantation campaign?
The organisation began its activities in July 2023.
How many saplings has the group planted?
It has planted more than 20,000 saplings across Unakoti and other parts of Tripura.
What is the current survival rate?
The organisation currently reports a survival rate of around 60 per cent.
What is the Green Guards project?
It is an initiative that reuses discarded plastic bottles as protective guards for young saplings.
How many plastic bottles have been reused?
The organisation claims that around 60,000 discarded plastic bottles have been put to use.
Location Context
Tripura is one of Northeast India’s green and forest-rich states. Community-led plantation campaigns such as Go Green Volunteers’ initiative can support local environmental awareness, tree cover and sustainable waste management across the region.
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