Rudraksha plantation at Chilkur Balaji Temple brings together environmentalists, scientists, academics, retired officials and young volunteers in a collective pledge for conservation
By Shashank Pasupuleti
HYDERABAD: The ECG Foundation marked its sixth anniversary and the birthday of Vrukshajeevi Dr. Markandeyulu with a meaningful plantation programme, bringing together environmentalists, scientists, academics, professionals, retired senior officials, volunteers and children in a collective commitment to nature and environmental conservation.
As part of the initiative, Rudraksha saplings and several other varieties of trees and plants were planted at the Chilkur Balaji Temple premises and other locations, transforming the occasion from a conventional anniversary celebration into a purposeful environmental initiative.
The programme carried a simple but significant message: planting a sapling is only the beginning; protecting it and enabling it to grow into a healthy tree is the larger responsibility.
“Plant a tree today—not merely for the shade we enjoy, but for the generations that will inherit the Earth tomorrow.”
A Birthday Dedicated to Nature
The plantation drive reflected the environmental commitment associated with Dr. Markandeyulu, widely known as Vrukshajeevi, whose birthday was commemorated through an activity devoted to ecological responsibility rather than conventional celebration.
The choice of Rudraksha plantation at the sacred surroundings of Chilkur Balaji Temple also gave the programme a distinctive blend of environmental consciousness and spiritual significance.
The event witnessed the active participation of ECG Foundation Core Committee members, including Dr. Prabhaker, IFS, CCF, Telangana State; Venugopal; Prof. Dr. Ramaswamy, PhD; Prof. Dr. Markandeyulu; Kurma Rao; Shanthan Kumar (ISRO Retd.); and A. Sudharshan (BARC Retd.).
Their participation brought together experience spanning forestry, science, academia, public service and environmental engagement on a common platform.
Environmentalists and Intellectuals Join the Initiative
Several distinguished environmentalists, intellectuals and professionals from diverse fields also participated in the programme, including Dr. Ramakrishna, Dr. Dhanasri Naidu, Dr. Sirisha, Dr. Anvesh, Dr. Rajaram, Chennu Raja (Retd. SP), Srinivas Rao, Hemalatha, Mr. Uday, Mrs. Chandana, Sriman Naveen Ayyavaru, Ravikumar, Ramakrishna, Yadagiri and Narasimha.
The participation of people from different professional and social backgrounds reinforced the idea that environmental protection cannot remain the responsibility of a single institution or section of society. It requires sustained participation from citizens, communities and organisations alike.
Children Carry the Message Forward
Adding special significance to the programme was the participation of a children’s team led by Master Narasimha Srinivasan.
Their involvement gave the initiative an important intergenerational dimension. Environmental awareness becomes more enduring when children experience conservation directly — by planting a sapling, understanding its importance and learning that its survival depends on continued care.
The presence of young participants therefore represented more than symbolic involvement; it reflected the larger purpose of passing environmental responsibility from one generation to the next.
Planting Must Lead to Protection
The programme also drew attention to a crucial aspect often overlooked in plantation campaigns — the survival of a sapling matters as much as its planting.
Trees strengthen ecological systems by helping conserve soil and water, supporting biodiversity, improving green cover and contributing to cleaner air. At a time when urbanisation, declining green spaces and changing climatic conditions are placing increasing pressure on the environment, sustained community-level conservation efforts assume greater importance.
The message was therefore not simply to increase plantation numbers, but to build a culture in which citizens take responsibility for the trees they plant.
“Planting takes a moment; nurturing takes commitment. The true value of a plantation is realised when a sapling is protected long enough to become a tree.”
Special Song Adds a Cultural Dimension
A special song composed by Shri Raya Rao for the occasion added an emotional and cultural dimension to the gathering.
The composition was warmly appreciated by the participants and complemented the environmental spirit of the programme, using music to reinforce the relationship between people, nature and collective responsibility.
Six Years of ECG Foundation — A Commitment for the Years Ahead
The sixth-anniversary programme served not only as a milestone in the journey of the ECG Foundation, but also as an occasion to renew its commitment to environmental stewardship and public participation.
By combining its anniversary with the birthday of Vrukshajeevi Dr. Markandeyulu and dedicating the occasion to plantation, the Foundation sought to demonstrate how celebrations can be transformed into socially meaningful action.
The larger message emerging from the gathering was that environmental change need not always begin with large projects. It can begin with an individual, a sapling and a commitment to protect it.
A tree planted and nurtured today can outlive the person who planted it — providing shade, supporting life and standing as a living inheritance for generations to come.
The spirit of the programme was ultimately captured in one enduring pledge:
“One person. One tree. One lifetime of care. Together, we can create a greener tomorrow.”
For the ECG Foundation, the sixth anniversary was therefore more than a celebration of the years completed. It was a commitment to the years ahead — and to leaving behind a greener, healthier and more sustainable legacy.
