Swami Prem Parivartan Interview
“From an 11-year-old planting a single sapling to leading India’s largest volunteer-driven tree movement, Swami Prem Parivartan shares his mission, his philosophy, and his call for a greener nation.”
Q. You planted your first tree at 11. Can you share what sparked that moment and how it shaped your journey as Peepal Baba?
I was eleven when my grandmother handed me a small Peepal sapling and asked me to plant it. At that age, I didn’t fully understand why she insisted on it so gently. She simply said, “If you care for this tree, it will care for you.” I didn’t grasp the depth of her words, but I planted it anyway.Watching that little sapling grow became a quiet ritual in my life. I saw it survive storms, harsh summers, and heavy monsoons. Somewhere in those years of observing its resilience, the seed of my life’s purpose took root.
That first Peepal tree taught me patience, responsibility, and the silent joy of nurturing life. Over time, I realised I wasn’t just planting a tree, I was forming a relationship. And that relationship has guided every step I’ve taken since. For me, planting a tree is not an environmental act alone. It’s spiritual. It’s a prayer rooted in the soil.
The Peepal tree is extraordinary. Very few trees release oxygen both day and night. It’s a complete ecosystem: birds nest in it, insects thrive around it, and its roots stabilise the soil. It’s a giver in every sense. For me, the Peepal symbolises balance and continuity. In our traditions, it’s seen as the Tree of Life, a bridge between the material and the spiritual. Over the years, I’ve come to see it as a living temple. When you plant a Peepal, you’re helping restore entire cycles of life.
My spiritual practice is simple: seva, i.e selfless service. Planting trees is my meditation. Some people close their eyes to pray; I keep mine open and look at the soil, the sapling, the sunlight. Nature doesn’t ask for rituals; it asks for responsibility. So my work is just an extension of my faith and a belief that the divine is not somewhere above us but rooted right beneath our feet.
Q. Beyond its religious significance, why is the Peepal tree so central to your mission, and how does your spiritual path guide your environmental work?
The Peepal tree is extraordinary. Very few trees release oxygen both day and night. It’s a complete ecosystem: birds nest in it, insects thrive around it, and its roots stabilise the soil. It’s a giver in every sense. For me, the Peepal symbolises balance and continuity. In our traditions, it’s seen as the Tree of Life, a bridge between the material and the spiritual. Over the years, I’ve come to see it as a living temple. When you plant a Peepal, you’re helping restore entire cycles of life.My spiritual practice is simple: seva, i.e selfless service. Planting trees is my meditation. Some people close their eyes to pray; I keep mine open and look at the soil, the sapling, the sunlight. Nature doesn’t ask for rituals; it asks for responsibility. So my work is just an extension of my faith and a belief that the divine is not somewhere above us but rooted right beneath our feet.
Q. Your mantra is “Plant only that tree which you can preserve.” How do you instil this ethic in volunteers and communities across India?
This mantra came from years of observation. People love planting trees because it feels good, but very few return to care for them. Planting is an event; preserving is a lifelong commitment. When I speak to volunteers, I tell them, “Don't plant for the camera; plant for the climate.”The moment they understand that a sapling is a living being, everything changes. Before any plantation drive, we ask a simple question: Who will take care of this tree for the next three years? That question filters out quick enthusiasm and leaves behind true responsibility.
We train communities in the 3 Ps: Planning, Planting, and Protection. Many people start naming their trees, celebrating their growth, and treating them almost like children. This emotional connection becomes the foundation of long-term care. Over time, Give Me Trees Trust has built a culture, not just a movement. Tree planting isn’t charity. It’s a relationship. And relationships thrive only when love and consistency are present.
There is no secret. Only sincerity. People are naturally drawn to authenticity. When someone sees that a person has been planting and preserving trees for decades without seeking fame or profit, they feel inspired. That’s how Give Me Trees began, not with a plan, not with an organisation, but with individuals who saw a sapling grow into a tree and wanted to be part of that quiet miracle.
We never built a hierarchy; we built a family. Our volunteers aren’t tied by contracts; they’re tied by consciousness. They work because they care about the world their children will inherit. My job is not to lead them but to remind them that this work is sacred. When service becomes an act of love, motivation becomes unnecessary. The movement sustains itself.
We train communities in the 3 Ps: Planning, Planting, and Protection. Many people start naming their trees, celebrating their growth, and treating them almost like children. This emotional connection becomes the foundation of long-term care. Over time, Give Me Trees Trust has built a culture, not just a movement. Tree planting isn’t charity. It’s a relationship. And relationships thrive only when love and consistency are present.
Q. Give Me Trees has over 18,600+ volunteers. What’s your secret to inspiring and sustaining such a massive, committed team?
There is no secret. Only sincerity. People are naturally drawn to authenticity. When someone sees that a person has been planting and preserving trees for decades without seeking fame or profit, they feel inspired. That’s how Give Me Trees began, not with a plan, not with an organisation, but with individuals who saw a sapling grow into a tree and wanted to be part of that quiet miracle.We never built a hierarchy; we built a family. Our volunteers aren’t tied by contracts; they’re tied by consciousness. They work because they care about the world their children will inherit. My job is not to lead them but to remind them that this work is sacred. When service becomes an act of love, motivation becomes unnecessary. The movement sustains itself.
Q. You’ve planted millions of trees, but ensuring their survival is a big challenge. What is your vision for a greener India, and what one action would you like every individual to take today?
Planting is easy. Growing is the real test. A tree needs guardianship, not just attention on the day it’s planted. That’s why my vision for India is not about more plantation drives but about fostering a cultural shift where caring for trees becomes second nature.I want an India where every child learns tree care in school, where every city invests in breathing spaces, where every village protects a sacred grove. The next chapter of our work focuses on ecosystem restoration: reviving native species, healing soil, and ensuring long term water security.
If every person could do one thing today, it would be this: adopt one tree. Not plant and forget, but adopt and commit. Water it, protect it, watch it grow. Because when you save one tree, you save an entire universe of life around it. If even one hundred crore citizens take this pledge, we won't need to dream of a green revolution; India will already be living it.
If every person could do one thing today, it would be this: adopt one tree. Not plant and forget, but adopt and commit. Water it, protect it, watch it grow. Because when you save one tree, you save an entire universe of life around it. If even one hundred crore citizens take this pledge, we won't need to dream of a green revolution; India will already be living it.
Bio
Swami Prem Parivartan (Peepal Baba) is one of India’s most influential environmentalists and the founder of the Give Me Trees Trust, ie one of the country’s largest volunteer-led tree planting and preservation movements. Beginning his journey at just eleven with a single Peepal sapling, he has since dedicated more than 45 years to ecological restoration.
Under his leadership, Give Me Trees Trust has planted and preserved over 25 million trees, created 278+ mini forests, restored over 2,72,000 hectares of land, and cultivated thriving ecosystems home to birds, butterflies, and pollinators. With a volunteer force of more than 18,600 individuals, his organisation has transformed barren lands into green sanctuaries across India.
Known for his mantra “Plant only that tree which you can preserve,” Peepal Baba blends environmental action with spiritual discipline. His work emphasises native species, long-term care, and community participation, making him a widely respected figure in India’s environmental landscape.
He continues to travel, teach, and guide communities on sustainable ecology while inspiring millions through social media and grassroots outreach.
Under his leadership, Give Me Trees Trust has planted and preserved over 25 million trees, created 278+ mini forests, restored over 2,72,000 hectares of land, and cultivated thriving ecosystems home to birds, butterflies, and pollinators. With a volunteer force of more than 18,600 individuals, his organisation has transformed barren lands into green sanctuaries across India.
Known for his mantra “Plant only that tree which you can preserve,” Peepal Baba blends environmental action with spiritual discipline. His work emphasises native species, long-term care, and community participation, making him a widely respected figure in India’s environmental landscape.
He continues to travel, teach, and guide communities on sustainable ecology while inspiring millions through social media and grassroots outreach.
Interviewed by Monika Bhardwaj
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