Mumbai, June 05, 2026: To mark World Environment Day, SOS Children’s Villages India has launched a nationwide sapling plantation drive with more than 5000 saplings, engaging children, caregivers, co-workers, and local communities in environmental conservation efforts aligned with this year’s theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”
The initiative spans 32 SOS Children’s Villages and multiple Family Strengthening Programme locations across the country, from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamil Nadu and from Gujarat to Assam. The plantations comprise a mix of fruit-bearing, medicinal, native, and climate-resilient species including neem, moringa, mango, gooseberry, guava, lemon, jackfruit, and custard apple.
Sumanta Kar, CEO, SOS Children’s Villages India, said, “Environmental sustainability is closely linked to child well-being and community resilience. Through this plantation drive, we aim to contribute to a greener future and help children understand the importance of preserving natural resources and protecting the environment. Every sapling planted today repressents a commitment to future generations and a healthier planet.”
SOS India has also partnered up with local institutions and government bodies to deepen community participation. In Shillong, SOS Children’s Villages India has partnered with local stakeholders under which saplings have been distributed to caregivers for plantation within their residential spaces. Meanwhile, Latur has the highest number of plantations, with over 2000 saplings.
Beyond plantation activities, several locations have tailored the initiative to local needs. The programme in Shillong looks to focus on medicinal and wild edible tree species, while several other locations across the country are prioritising fruit-bearing and indigenous varieties that can contribute to both ecological restoration and community well-being.
About SOS Children’s Villages India:
Established in 1964, SOS Children’s Villages India provides children without parental care or at the risk of losing it a value chain of quality care services that goes beyond childcare alone, ensuring comprehensive child development. Our customised care interventions, such as Family Like Care, Family Strengthening, Kinship Care, Short Stay Homes, Foster Care, Youth Skilling, Emergency Childcare, and Special Needs Childcare are aimed at transforming lives and enabling children under our care into self-reliant and contributing members of society. The organisation empowers vulnerable families in communities to become financially independent, enabling them to create safe and nurturing spaces for children under their care. Today, over 6,500 children live in more than 440 family homes inside 32 SOS Children’s Villages India, in 22 States/UTs, from Srinagar to Cochin and Bhuj to Shillong. They are lovingly cared for and nurtured by SOS Mothers and Aunts. As one of India’s most extensive self-implementing childcare NGO, SOS Children’s Villages India has empowered over 45,000 children annually, positively impacting over 70000 lives.
For more information, please visit: www.soschildrensvillages.in or contact: [email protected].
