Vijay Pal Baghel: The Greenman of Ghaziabad Transforming India’s Environment

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Vijay Pal Baghel, a resident of Govindpuram in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, may appear ordinary at first glance, but behind his humble demeanor lies an extraordinary commitment to the environment. Known by names such as Greenman, Van Vibhuti, and Vanjeev Rakshak, Baghel has dedicated his life to creating tree-lovers and protecting nature.

Early Life and Inspiration

Born and raised in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, Baghel’s love for trees was instilled early by his grandfather, Dataram Baghel. “In 1972, as a class V student, I wrote ten lines about trees for an assignment, guided by my grandfather. His words—‘trees give life to humans’—stayed with me forever,” recalls Baghel.

After completing school and college in Hathras, he moved to Ghaziabad in 1986 for a Chartered Accountant (CA) course, where he began shaping his mission for environmental conservation.

The Awakening: A Life-Changing Moment

In 1987, Baghel witnessed a roadside jamun tree being cut between Ghaziabad and Aligarh. “The sap flowing from the trunk pained me deeply. I remembered my grandfather’s words and felt the tree was crying for help. I decided then to dedicate my life to educating people against tree felling,” he recounts.

Early Challenges

Baghel began planting a neem tree every day, motivating people to protect trees despite facing strong opposition. Working a full-time job in a pharmaceutical company, he used his after-office hours to pursue his mission.

A major boost came in 1993, when he joined the Paryavaran Vahini, launched by then Environment Minister Kamal Nath. This initiative aimed to encourage public participation in environmental protection, including reporting illegal acts related to forests, wildlife, and pollution.

By 1995, Baghel became the convenor of Paryavaran Vahini, working tirelessly for five years to raise environmental awareness.

Founding Paryavaran Sachetak Samiti

When Paryavaran Vahini was eventually dissolved, Baghel established his own organization, Paryavaran Sachetak Samiti (PSS), in the early 2000s.

“By then, public awareness about ecological balance had grown, and many volunteers joined us. PSS now has over 65,000 members nationwide,” he says.

Each member is provided an identity card and guidance on protecting their local environment.

Achievements and Recognition

Baghel’s work is unparalleled:

• Planted over five crore trees across India.

• Initiated the Jhola Andolan to discourage polythene bag usage.

• Holds a Guinness World Record (2013) for planting 1.25 lakh trees in a single day.

• Recipient of 11 awards, including the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award and Shaan-e-Hind Award.

• Recognized by NCERT, which featured his life in the Class 8 Social Science textbook.

• The Uttar Pradesh government named a wetland in Shravasti district as Baghel Wetland.

Environmental Mission of PSS

Paryavaran Sachetak Samiti operates entirely on volunteer work without seeking donations or government grants (except for saplings). Its activities include:

• Tree plantation drives

• Community awareness campaigns

• Ban on polythene use

• Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge

• Renovation of old water bodies

• Education on global warming and sustainable development

Baghel emphasizes grassroots involvement to empower local communities in environmental decision-making, aiming to increase green cover, reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and achieve sustainable development.

Legacy and Impact

From planting a single tree to inspiring tens of thousands of volunteers, Vijay Pal Baghel has become a symbol of environmental dedication in India. His life proves that one person’s passion and perseverance can transform communities and leave a lasting impact on the planet.