Green Daughters, Green Future: Rajasthan’s Unique Initiative Plants 11 Trees for Every Girl Child

Chittorgarh- In a groundbreaking initiative, Rajasthan has launched a remarkable project that celebrates the birth of every girl child while fostering environmental conservation. Under the "Srijan Ki Suraksha Yojana" (Protection of Creation Scheme), spearheaded by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA), Jaipur, and the District Legal Services Authority, Chittorgarh, 11 trees are planted in honor of every newborn girl. This unique effort not only empowers girls but also nurtures a greener planet.

On May 20, a special tree plantation program was organized in Netawalgarh Padhali Gram Panchayat, Chittorgarh, under the guidance of Mahendra Singh Sisodia, Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority and District & Sessions Judge. Sunil Kumar Goyal, Secretary of the Authority and Additional District & Sessions Judge, explained that in selected villages, families of newborn girls are entrusted with planting 11 trees and ensuring their care and nourishment.

A distinctive feature of the scheme is the issuance of a unique identity card to every "Green Daughter." This card serves as a bridge, connecting families and girls to legal service institutions for necessary support and guidance. The initiative, conceptualized under RSLSA’s directives, aims to foster a society where women are empowered, girls are uplifted, and the environment is preserved.

Goyal emphasized that the scheme addresses critical issues such as preventing female foeticide, promoting girls’ education, preventing POCSO-related crimes, encouraging environmental conservation, empowering women through legal awareness, and ensuring access to justice at the grassroots level. This visionary project by the judicial fraternity seamlessly blends social reform with environmental stewardship.

During the event, panel advocate Bharti Gahlot inspired attendees to embrace environmental conservation, pollution control, and large-scale tree plantation. She remarked, "Every tree is like a daughter—nurtured with love and care. This scheme reflects our responsibility towards both our girls and our planet."

The "Srijan Ki Suraksha Yojana" is more than a scheme—it’s a movement to transform societal mindsets about girls while reinforcing our commitment to the environment. By celebrating every girl’s birth with 11 trees, it symbolizes a brighter, greener future for Rajasthan and beyond.

The Piplantri Model

In Piplantri village, located in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, the community plants 111 trees every time a girl is born, ensuring these trees survive and bear fruit as the girls grow. In India, there is a significant shortage of girls due to a societal preference for boys and the perception of girls as a financial burden because of the dowry system. Over the past few years, the villagers have successfully planted over 300,000 trees on the village’s common grazing land, including neem, sheesham, mango, and amla.

To ensure financial security, after a girl’s birth, the villagers collectively contribute ₹21,000, and the parents add ₹10,000, which is deposited into a fixed-term bank account that can only be accessed when the girl turns 18. To guarantee proper education for the girl, the community has parents sign a legal agreement. This initiative was started by former sarpanch Shyam Sundar Paliwal in memory of his daughter Kiran, who passed away in 2006.