How Are We Celebrating the Strength of Women in Environmental Change?

This International Womens Day, I celebrate all women whose hands shape the land and whose toughness breathes life into the planet. At Grow-Trees.com, Ive witnessed women rebuild barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems, not just by planting trees, but by bringing back hope, livelihoods, and a sense of belonging. I remember the picturesque landscapes of Uttarakhand, at our Trees for Ecotourism™ project, where I observed women engaging in tree-planting activities with exceptional dedication. Their hands stiffened yet gentle, treated each sapling as if it were their very own child, symbolizing a nurturing spirit that rose above their mere duty.

When I joined Grow-Trees.com in 2021, it wasnt just a career shift; it was a purpose-driven decision. As a chartered accountant, lawyer, and former tax consultant, I had spent years working with numbers. But numbers can only tell part of the story. The real impact is on the people, especially the women in rural communities, who are reclaiming their agency through reforestation. These women arent just caretakers of the land; they are leaders of change, protecting biodiversity while securing a future for their families.

Our work at Grow-Trees.com goes beyond planting trees. It creates green jobs, shelters wildlife habitats, and ensures that environmental healing is a shared, inclusive mission. Whether its bringing degraded forests back to life or expanding carbon sinks in urban spaces, every tree planted rises with hope.

And yet, these stories of perseverance often go unheard. The women working in the fields, tending to saplings, and saving ecosystems arent always celebrated as environmentalists, but their contributions are no less critical. They battle not just deforestation and climate change but also deeply ingrained social barriers that have historically limited their opportunities. Every time they step forward, whether by leading local planting initiatives or earning a livelihood through afforestation, they redefine what it means to be changemakers.

I have witnessed how integrating economic empowerment with environmental action transforms communities. In the Van Panchayat areas of Kyarkuli Bhatta, Mussoorie, women participating in our Trees for Ecotourism™ project played a vital role in restoring green cover while securing their livelihoods. Their dedication became even more evident when an unexpected fire broke out near our plantation site. With their homes perched on higher ground and the plantation on lower terrain, these women did not hesitate. They ran down the slopes, carrying water on their heads, determined to protect the very saplings they had nurtured like their own children. Their commitment was nothing short of extraordinary, some even burned their hair while dousing the flames, yet not a single tree was left to the fire.

This was more than an act of courage; it was evidence of the deep-rooted bond they shared with the land. These trees were not just ecological assets but symbols of their resilience, their livelihoods, and their future. In that moment, their steadfast dedication proved that environmental stewardship is not just about planting, it is about protecting, nurturing, and fighting for the green cover that sustains us all.

I truly believe that a woman with access to green jobs gains more than an income, she gains independence, confidence, and the ability to uplift those around her. She becomes a leader, a mentor, and a protector of the earth. And that is the kind of metamorphosis we need, one where greenery and empowerment grow hand in hand.

On this day, I stand in gratitude for the women who nurture the earth and their communities with equal devotion. We are part of nature and one of the driving forces of the work is empowering those who sustain it so we can create a greener world for all.