2,100 Trees Already Saved: Dhariwal Foundation Expands Transplantation Efforts in Pune

Pune, 25th August 2025: At a time when infrastructure projects across India are leading to large-scale felling of trees, the R. M. Dhariwal Foundation has taken up an ambitious initiative to give mature trees a second life through transplantation.

For more than four decades, the Pune-headquartered foundation, established by the late Rasiklal M. Dhariwal and Shobha R. Dhariwal, has been working in sectors such as education, healthcare, environment, and disaster relief. Today, under the leadership of Janhavi Dhariwal Balan, the foundation is extending this legacy with a renewed focus on environmental conservation.

Saving Trees, Saving Lives
Every day, thousands of trees are cut down in the name of development—whether for new roads, housing complexes, or commercial projects. Environmentalists say the loss of a single mature tree has ripple effects on local biodiversity, carbon absorption, and air quality.

According to environmental data:
A single mature tree produces enough oxygen for four people daily.
Each tree absorbs between 10 to 40 kg of carbon dioxide annually, depending on its species.

With careful handling, transplanted mature trees have a survival rate of nearly 80 percent.
Recognising this, the Dhariwal Foundation has already transplanted more than 2,100 trees in Pune at locations such as the Ring Road, Mundhwa, Ghorpadi, and B.G. Shirke Road, in partnership with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and the Public Works Department (PWD).

A Green Challenge Ahead
The biggest test lies ahead: the upcoming 172 km Pune Ring Road project, which threatens thousands of trees along its stretch. The foundation believes this challenge cannot be met by one organisation alone and has appealed to corporates, citizens, and institutions to support the initiative.

“This is not just about saving trees, it’s about securing our collective future. Development and environment can co-exist, but only if we act responsibly today,” said Janhavi Dhariwal Balan, President of the R. M. Dhariwal Foundation.

How People Can Contribute
The foundation has outlined several ways in which individuals and organisations can support the cause:

Fund Transplantation: The cost of moving a tree, depending on its size and girth, ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 40,000. Contributions help relocate trees to safe spaces such as farmland, forest areas, or army land.

Adopt a Tree: Sponsors can ensure near-100% survival by funding two years of post-transplant care.

Offer Space: Landowners can provide space for transplanted trees, immediately benefiting from a fully mature tree on their premises.

Spread Awareness: Citizens can amplify the campaign by sharing information and rallying more people to the cause.

A Call to Action
The R. M. Dhariwal Foundation emphasises that safeguarding the environment is a shared responsibility. As Pune grows into a bustling metropolis, efforts like tree transplantation may hold the key to balancing urbanisation with sustainability.

For more details and to support the initiative, visit www.rmdfoundation.org.in/tree-transplantation.