Planting Hope, Nurturing Future

Born from an experiment on a barren hill, 14 Trees has grown into a replicable model of ecological regeneration, rural livelihoods, and community resilience

- ANIL SWARUP

Solutions will not come solely from policies or projects but from community-driven, replicable models that blend science with participation

Forests are not just about trees; they are about life itself. They hold water in the soil, nurture biodiversity, and give dignity to communities that live around them. At 14Trees, the vision is simple yet profound: to restore what was lost, empower people to become forest-makers, and ensure that every tree planted is a step towards ecological and social resilience.

Why the name 14Trees?

The name itself carries a powerful message. Just 14trees can absorb the carbon dioxide an average human exhales in a lifetime. The symbolism is striking: small, collective actions, when multiplied, can heal the planet. 14TTrees is not only a foundation. It is an invitation—to be the change, to be the forest, to be the 14.

From a Barren Hill to a Living Forest

The journey of 14Trees began in 2014 on the desolate Vetale Hills near Rajgurunagar. The landscape was scarred—eroded, summer fire-prone, and stripped bare of its natural habitat. Almost no greenery was left. Farming had drastically reduced, and the soil lay exhausted. Into this scene of abandonment stepped Dr Pravin Bhagwat, an IIT alumnus with a deep commitment to sustainability, and Anant Tayade, the son of a farmer from Buldhana. Together, they envisioned the impossible: to breathe life into this land again. What began as a four-acre experiment soon evolved into a model of ecological regeneration.