The students have been working for two years to save trees in Jaipur from being covered in tar and cement. They started with 10 students and have grown to over 30 students. They have saved 160 trees so far by digging out the tar and cement around the trees. Local residents like auto rickshaw drivers and vendors have helped in their efforts. People are now more aware of not covering trees after the students explained the importance of saving the trees. The students feel a sense of pride and achievement when they see the trees they have saved staying green and providing shade. They are working with a local NGO to further their goal of saving every single tree in Jaipur.

1. We remember the day clearly when we went for the first time to dig out thetar/cement from around
the trees. It was a scorching day. We were 10 students in all and two teachers. We saved 5 trees that
day, I even remember how after our job was done, the teachers gave us a treat of frootis and chips. It
has been 2 years now, since we started saving trees. Earlier it was for the competition but now, it has
become our mission.

2. Earlier we were only 10 students but now we are more than 30, even our juniors have joined us. They
take keen interest in saving the trees. Every time we have asked the students if they would like to help
us save trees, the numbers have increased.

3. We have saved 160 trees till now and are planning to do a lot more. Earlier we faced a lot of opposition
but gradually, people started understanding the cause and now, they are a lot more aware than they
were. Autorickshaw drivers, barbers and the women vendors who need the shade of these trees have
helped us a lot in digging out the tar. Now we can actually see the difference in the thinking of the
people about clamping up the trees.

4. The people have covered the outsides of their houses with cement to make the surroundings neat and
clean without thinking about the trees. On making them understand, they have cleaned the cement with
the help of their gardeners and servants. This is also helping us achieve our goal.

5. When we pass through the places where we have saved the trees, we have the feeling of achievement
and pride on seeing them lush green and providing shade, and we don’t forget to mention that they are
there because of our awareness and hard work.

6. The hard work we did is paying us in the form of a greener Jaipur. It is just a step, we have miles to go
and for that we have approached ‘Srishti’, an NGO that works for the environment in Jaipur. They have
promised to help us in all possible ways. We students have taken an oath to save every single tree in
Jaipur from the clutches of tar.