Juhi Chawla leads plantation drive in Kolkata

Actor and team co-owner Juhi Chawla led a plantation drive at Subhas Sarovar Lake Park on April 18, marking the start of the Kolkata franchise’s 2026 sustainability initiative, Runs to Roots. The morning event brought together environmental groups and around 20 women beneficiaries from city-based NGOs, blending climate action with grassroots impact. Speaking at the event, Chawla highlighted the deeper meaning behind tree plantation. “A society becomes mature when people plant trees knowing they may never sit under their shade,” she said, adding that sustainability begins with small, personal steps—“start with your balcony, your garden, your community.” The plantation was carried out in collaboration with Grow Billion Trees, which introduced a mix of native and fruit-bearing species including mango, chikoo, guava, star fruit and areca nut. “These are not just trees we plant and forget,” said Satender Kumar, co-founder of Grow Billion Trees. “We maintain them until they become self-sustaining. Fruit trees, in particular, support birds and small mammals, while also helping reduce carbon and improve oxygen levels.” He added that the organisation, which operates across 13 states, uses geo-tagging technology to allow contributors to track the growth of trees over time. “Anyone can plant a tree and monitor its journey—it builds accountability and connection,” he said. Alongside the environmental focus, the event foregrounded stories of economic independence from women associated with the Calcutta Foundation. Many of them have been trained in beautician work and mehendi artistry, using these skills to build livelihoods. Shamima Begum, who has been part of the programme for five months, said she is “learning and earning” through mehendi work. “I have already worked at many places and started earning. My husband has supported me throughout,” she said, thanking the foundation for the opportunity. For Pratibha Prasad, the training refined an existing skill. “I knew a little mehendi earlier, but here I learnt techniques and got better finishing. Now I work as a mehendi artist and take up assignments when I get calls,” she said. Pushpa Pal, a beautician trainee for six months, spoke about the tangible impact on her family. “I have started earning and have been able to enrol my son in school. I feel very happy and grateful for the support,” she said. Shreya Pandey, another participant, described the programme as a stepping stone towards her larger goal. “I want to open my own parlour someday. I have learnt a lot here and it has given me confidence,” she said. Many of the women emphasised how such initiatives go beyond skill-building. “It is very important for women like us. We are able to do something on our own now and speak about it with confidence,” one participant said. The event also reflected the team’s evolving sustainability journey—from tackling waste generated at cricket stadiums to expanding green cover in urban spaces. Chawla recalled how earlier efforts began with reducing post-match garbage and avoiding landfill overflow, eventually growing into larger environmental commitments. As Kolkata continues to grapple with rapid urbanisation and shrinking green spaces, initiatives like Runs to Roots aim to bridge environmental action with community empowerment—planting not just trees, but also pathways to livelihood and self-reliance.