Plant A Billion Trees (PABT), a mission-driven organisation working to expand India’s green cover, has partnered with Southern Railway to undertake tree plantation initiatives across the railway ecosystem, with saplings planted at the SSE/Works/TPJ section of Tiruchchirappalli Division as part of the ongoing collaboration.
The plantation drive, undertaken in association with Tiruchchirappalli Division, Southern Railway, was accompanied by a cleanliness initiative under Swachhata Pakhwada 2026, bringing together tree plantation, environmental conservation and civic cleanliness.
The partnership is part of a plan to plant 1.25 lakh saplings across railway stations, colonies, office premises and other suitable locations. PABT is supporting the initiative by helping identify plantation opportunities and facilitating tree plantation and care as the programme progresses. The programme represents an important beginning for PABT’s much larger environmental vision to plant trees across Tamilnadu. Through partnerships with public institutions, corporates, schools and communities, PABT is working to build a sustained movement around tree plantation, survival and long-term care.
The organisation’s approach extends beyond planting trees to their long-term care and survival. PABT aims to develop healthy, self-sustaining green zones rather than treating plantation as a one-time activity. Its larger vision is centred on creating a network of green spaces that can contribute to healthier communities, improved biodiversity and a more sustainable environment.
PABT is also building a CSR-led environmental movement that enables companies to participate in plantation drives, employee engagement programmes and long-term sustainability initiatives.
“The 1.25 lakh tree sapling programme with Southern Railway is an important beginning, but our ambition is much larger. Partnerships with institutions such as Southern Railway can help us take that vision from individual plantation drives to large, sustained green zones. Our focus is not simply on the number of trees planted, but on ensuring that they grow, survive and become part of the communities and ecosystems around them. The saplings planted in Tiruchchirappalli are therefore a small but meaningful step towards a much larger national movement,” said Mr. Shailendra Shivakumar, Founder PABT.
“From 2nd October, we have launched a month-long drive dedicated to environmental conservation and cleanliness, with tree plantation as one of its key objectives. We are delighted to collaborate with the Plant a Billion Trees organization, which has joined hands with the Tiruchchirappalli Division of Southern Railway for this noble initiative. Today, we commenced the plantation drive at Tiruchchirappalli Railway Station. During this month-long campaign, we will identify several other locations for plantation, with a target of planting one million trees. This initiative will make a significant contribution towards improving our environment and creating a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.” said Shri Balak Ram Negi (IRSE), Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Tiruchchirappalli Division, Southern Railway
Aligned with the Ministry of Railways’ mission towards achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030, the plantation programme also highlights the role of institutional partnerships in advancing environmental sustainability. By integrating tree plantation with the development and upkeep of railway spaces, the initiative seeks to create green infrastructure that delivers long-term environmental value. The Tiruchchirappalli initiative demonstrates how a focused institutional partnership can become part of a much larger movement to restore India’s green cover.
Plant A Billion Trees (PABT) is a mission-driven NGO dedicated to planting and protecting trees while building sustainable ecosystems. The organisation works with schools, corporates and communities to conduct structured plantation drives that focus not only on planting saplings but also on ensuring their long-term growth and survival.