As part of Lions International's Environmental Protection Fortnight, Lions Club Delhi Veg has launched a week-long environmental campaign during the first week of August, focusing on large-scale tree plantation and the free distribution of medicinal plants. The initiative brings together several community organizations, including Volunteers137, YSS Foundation, Ekal Abhiyan (East Delhi Chapter), ECPF, Maulik Bharat, and Career Plus, reflecting a strong spirit of collaboration for environmental restoration.

More than 70 volunteers and members from these organizations participated in the inaugural plantation drive. The first phase of the campaign is being carried out along the stormwater drain behind Metro Station Sector 137, Noida, where Volunteers137 has been leading the development of an in-situ constructed wetland designed to improve water quality and restore the surrounding ecosystem.

Building a Green Shield Against Pollution

Speaking on the occasion, Anuj Agarwal, President of Lions Club Delhi Veg, explained that the campaign aims to plant thousands of bamboo and jamun saplings, along with hundreds of medicinal plants, along both sides of the drain. The objective is to create a natural green barrier capable of reducing pollution, absorbing unpleasant odours, improving biodiversity, and providing nearby residents with a cleaner and healthier environment.

The plantation is expected to strengthen ecological resilience while demonstrating how nature-based solutions can help address urban environmental challenges.

Campaign to Conclude on 8 August

According to Gaurav Gupta, Charter President of Lions Club Delhi Veg, and Sandeep Jindal, Project Coordinator, the campaign is being implemented with the support of over 100 volunteers from participating organizations.

The concluding phase of the initiative will take place on 8 August, featuring:

• A large-scale plantation drive at the Wetland Park, Sector 54, Noida.

• Free distribution of hundreds of medicinal plants at the Community Centre, Sector 23, Noida.

The organizers hope the campaign will inspire greater public participation in environmental conservation and urban greening initiatives.

Abhisht Gupta Highlights Five Years of Environmental Action

Addressing the gathering, environmental activist Abhisht Gupta, Coordinator of Volunteers137, spoke about the organization's sustained efforts over the past five years to protect rivers, wetlands, and water bodies through legal interventions and community action.

He noted that Volunteers137 has actively pursued environmental matters before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), various High Courts, and the Supreme Court, contributing to initiatives aimed at improving the ecological health of the Yamuna River and several of its tributaries and drains across multiple states.

Gupta emphasized that sustained legal advocacy has strengthened environmental accountability, encouraging public authorities to improve compliance with environmental regulations while accelerating restoration efforts for polluted water bodies.

A Collective Commitment to a Greener Future

Sachin Gupta, President of YSS Foundation, encouraged volunteers to continue their environmental service and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to participating in the concluding plantation drive on 8 August.

The campaign reflects the growing role of civil society in complementing government efforts toward ecological restoration. By combining plantation drives, wetland restoration, public participation, and environmental awareness, the initiative demonstrates how partnerships between community organizations can create lasting environmental impact.

As urban centres continue to face increasing environmental pressures, collaborative efforts such as this offer a practical model for restoring degraded landscapes, improving public health, and fostering long-term ecological sustainability.

#LionsClubDelhiVeg #Volunteers137 #AbhishtGupta #EnvironmentalProtection #TreePlantation #PlantationDrive #GreenNoida #Noida #WetlandRestoration #ConstructedWetland #UrbanForestry #BambooPlantation #JamunTrees #MedicinalPlants #GoGreen #SaveEnvironment #ClimateAction #RestoreNature #Biodiversity #CleanAir #CleanWater #NatureBasedSolutions #RiverRestoration #Yamuna #HindonRiver #SustainableCities #EcologicalRestoration #GreenInfrastructure #CommunityAction #VolunteerForNature #EcoWarriors #LionsInternational #EnvironmentalProtectionWeek