Overlanding Adventures and Environmental Initiatives

In a remarkable journey blending adventure with environmental stewardship, a couple from Palakkad, Sangeeth and Kavya, have embarked on a mission to plant one lakh trees across India within five years. Their initiative, dubbed ‘Mission Mother Tree,’ aims to combat climate change while exploring the country’s remote landscapes with their pet dog, Drogo.

• Mission Overview: Sangeeth and Kavya are on a quest to plant 100,000 trees in five years.
• Travel and Impact: They have traveled over 45,000 kilometers and planted over 10,000 saplings.
• Community Involvement: The couple has engaged 4,000 volunteers through social media.
• Sustainable Practices: Their camper conversion cost only Rs 20,000, showcasing budget-friendly travel.
• Tracking Growth: They utilize the Tree Tag app to monitor the growth of the saplings.

Sangeeth and Kavya left their corporate jobs to pursue a life closer to nature, transforming their Force Gurkha SUV into a camper for just Rs 20,000. This decision marked the beginning of their adventure, which is not only about travel but also about leaving a positive impact on the environment.

Over the past two years, the couple has successfully planted more than 10,000 native saplings in various states, including:

• Kerala: 300 saplings in Palakkad, 220 in Munnar, and 70 in Ernakulam.
• Other States: They have traveled to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Their approach involves gathering locally sourced seed balls with the help of volunteers, ensuring that the plants are suited to the local soil and climate, which increases their chances of survival. They have achieved a 60% survival rate for the saplings they have planted.

The couple has built a community of 4,000 volunteers who assist them in their mission. They document their journey on their Instagram page, ‘lifeonroads_’, which has garnered over 240,000 followers. This platform not only showcases their adventures but also encourages others to participate in their environmental initiatives.

Living on the road, Sangeeth and Kavya prepare their meals and share their experiences with Drogo, their loyal companion. Their journey emphasizes sustainability, as they strive to minimize their environmental footprint while maximizing their positive impact.

To ensure the longevity of their efforts, Sangeeth and Kavya use the Tree Tag app to track the growth of each sapling they plant. Each tree is tagged with GPS coordinates, allowing volunteers to provide regular updates on their progress. This innovative approach creates a live report card for their environmental efforts, fostering a sense of community and accountability.

Kavya reflects on their mission, stating, "One lakh trees may seem like a drop in the bucket against climate change, but we’re doing the best we can to build a community that values life on this planet." Their journey is not just about the number of trees planted but about inspiring others to appreciate and protect the environment.

As Sangeeth and Kavya continue their travels, they remain committed to their mission, proving that adventure and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Their story serves as a reminder that individual actions can contribute to a larger cause, encouraging others to take part in the fight against climate change.

• Palakkad couple on overlanding mission to plant one lakh trees in five years, The New Indian Express.
• Palakkad couple on overlanding mission to plant one lakh trees in five years, The New Indian Express.