A. S. Paliwal – The Piplantri Model
In Piplantri, Rajasthan, the birth of a girl child is celebrated not with hesitation but with hope—through the planting of 111 trees.
What began as a grieving father’s tribute has grown into a movement rooted in ecology, empowerment, and community resilience.
Dr. Shyam Sundar Paliwal, fondly known as A. S. Paliwal, lost his young daughter in 2006. In her memory, he planted trees—a quiet, personal tribute that soon took root in the hearts of his fellow villagers.
What began as a father’s act of love blossomed into a community-wide tradition. Today, under his leadership, the village of Piplantri has planted over 350,000 trees, turning once-barren land into a lush green haven. This unique practice has become both a ritual and a powerful message: that daughters, like trees, are to be cherished, nurtured, and celebrated.
The initiative is simple yet profound. Every time a girl is born in the village, 111 saplings—ranging from neem and sheesham to fruit-bearing trees—are planted in her name. The family signs an affidavit committing to nurture the trees, send the girl to school, and avoid early marriage. To support the family financially, villagers contribute ₹21,000, and the girl’s parents add ₹10,000, which is placed in a fixed deposit for her future needs, including education or marriage. This combination of environmental stewardship and social reform has redefined what a sustainable community looks like.
Piplantri’s transformation has drawn national and global attention. It’s a model where economic empowerment, ecological regeneration, and women’s dignity are intertwined. The increased green cover has brought water back to the region, improved soil quality, and supported biodiversity—including the cultivation of aloe vera around the trees to protect them and generate income. What started in a small Rajasthani village has become a replicable model for sustainable development across India.
In recognition of his extraordinary grassroots leadership, Dr. Shyam Sundar Paliwal was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021—one of India’s highest civilian awards.
His vision blends personal loss with public good, where love for one’s child and love for the earth come together in a living, breathing legacy. What began as a gesture of remembrance has grown into a model of sustainable development rooted in empathy and action.
The Piplantri model now stands as a powerful example of how a simple, heartfelt idea can create generational impact. It continues to inspire activists, educators, and policymakers across India and beyond—proving that even the deepest grief can become a source of great growth.