Plant 10,000 Trees to Reduce Carbon Footprints

Every year in February Seva Mandir organizes and hosts Ummedmal Lodha Environment Awards. We are excited to share the inspiring story of one of this year's winners.

Vandana Sharma, a dedicated forest guard from Bapu Nagar, Bhilwara, has been passionate about environmental protection since her childhood. As a child, she used to collect seeds from fruits she’s eaten and sow them around her house and colony. Her passion continued into her adult life.

Over the past twelve years, Vandana has worked in the forest department, focusing on reusing discarded seeds and raising awareness about tree planting. She has planted over 100,000 fruit-bearing and shade trees and created a nursery with various fruit seeds, such as mango, jamun, tamarind, custard apple, plum, sapota, lemon, and orange.

Despite facing challenges with fungus and foul smell from soaked seeds, Vandana remained persistent, encouraging people to dry and collect seeds. She also employed a technique known as throwing seed balls, creating 20,000 seed balls annually with the aim of planting 100,000 trees in Bhilwara district. Additionally, Vandana has rescued around 45 wild animals.

In recognition of her unwavering efforts towards environmental conservation, Vandana has won the prestigious Ummedmal Lodha Environment Award for 2025 in the Individual Category.

We are incredibly proud of her achievements and fully support her efforts in planting a fruit forest.

It’s because of supporters like you that we are able to raise awareness in communities about conserving the environment and support people like Vandana, who serve as role models for others.

Best regards,

Seva Mandir Team

Links:

• Seva Mandir Website
• Seva Mandir Facebook Page
• Friends of Seva Mandir USA