Nilesh Rajgor's Green Revolution in Gujarat's Patan inspiring next generation

By Prabhdeep Singh
Patan (Gujarat) [India], July 20 : Hailing from Kungher village in Gujarat's Patan district, 48-year-old Nilesh Rajgor is a dedicated environmental warrior, who has planted some eight lakh trees in the area.
Since 2015, the part-time insurance agent has launched a massive tree plantation campaign, inspiring community participation and planting millions of trees. Beyond tree planting, Nilesh has established oxygen parks, enhancing his community's green footprint and promoting sustainability.

His unwavering commitment makes him a true champion of the environment.
Regarding his work, Nilesh says, "The biggest award is indeed from the Supreme Being, as millions of trees have grown larger today, supporting the creation and sustenance of birds and wildlife. Nature is truly being conserved and nurtured. We are taking steps to protect and enhance what is disappearing -- plant species, bird species, and wildlife. This effort brings solace. Today, millions of people are involved, drawing inspiration and starting this work in their own villages."
A key aspect of Nilesh's campaign is encouraging people to pledge to plant trees and become 'Green Commandos.' Over 3,00,000 people have taken this pledge so far. For his outstanding contributions to environmental conservation, Nilesh has also received numerous prestigious awards, including the 'Climate Change Award' for 2021-22.
Nilesh emphasizes, "This award inspires anyone working in any field, making the whole state and country aware. Many people are influenced by it, and many youths like me join. The Van Pandit Award is Gujarat's highest award. The Climate Change Award is from the Indian government, with a cash prize of 1 lakh. All of this gives peace of mind that someone is watching our work."
Nilesh's mission extends to educating future generations about environmental responsibility through workshops and seminars in schools and colleges. He actively collaborates with students and government officials to promote environmental stewardship.

Reflecting on his partnership with Nilesh, his associate Vivek Dave remarks, " I have been associated with Nilesh Bhai Rajgor for almost seven years now, working alongside him. We have heard that in ancient times, we had our sages and monks who did significant awareness work in society. While we haven't seen those sages and monks, for the past seven years, we have been witnessing a sage who is working for the environment, dedicating everything he has. Nilesh Bhai's work has spread across Gujarat, including Patan."
Through Nilesh's initiatives, Patan district has become greener, setting an example globally in combating climate change.