Shyam Sunder Jyani: The Professor Who Made Tree Planting a Family Tradition
In the vast deserts of Rajasthan, where scorching winds sweep across parched soil and the struggle for water defines daily life, one man has turned the idea of environmental conservation into a social movement. That man is Professor Shyam Sunder Jyani, a visionary environmentalist and academic whose pioneering concept of “Familial Forestry” has transformed over two million families into tree guardians. Through his mission, Jyani has proven that sustainable ecology is not only about planting trees — it’s about nurturing them as part of the family.
Early Life and Inspiration
Born in a small village in Bikaner district, Rajasthan, Shyam Sunder Jyani grew up amidst the arid landscape that defines the Thar Desert. His childhood was shaped by the harsh realities of desert life — recurring droughts, soil erosion, and vanishing vegetation. The loss of greenery had far-reaching effects on both environment and society: declining agricultural productivity, increasing migration, and fading cultural ties with nature.
From a young age, Jyani was deeply moved by how environmental degradation was eroding the spirit of rural life. He noticed that trees were treated as external entities — planted once but rarely cared for. This detachment inspired him to think differently. He believed that ecological restoration would succeed only when people developed a personal, emotional connection with nature.
That belief would eventually evolve into one of India’s most inspiring grassroots environmental movements — Familial Forestry.
The Birth of Familial Forestry
The idea of Familial Forestry germinated in 2006 when Professor Jyani, then teaching sociology at Government Dungar College, Bikaner, began linking his academic knowledge with environmental action. He asked a simple but powerful question:
“What if we treated trees as members of our family — like sons and daughters — rather than as external responsibilities?”
This question led to the development of a community-based ecological model that combined family values, environmental ethics, and practical conservation. Jyani began encouraging families to plant a tree during significant life events — births, marriages, festivals — and to nurture it as part of their household. Each tree was given a name, often after a family member, making it an emotional bond rather than a one-time gesture.
He called this approach “Parivarik Vaniki” — or Familial Forestry — and started implementing it across villages in Rajasthan with the help of his students and volunteers.
How the Movement Grew
What began as a small experiment in a few villages soon spread like wildfire across Rajasthan. Jyani’s approach appealed deeply to rural communities because it merged environmental action with traditional Indian family culture.
Families began planting saplings of neem, peepal, khejri, amla, and banyan in their courtyards, farms, and school grounds. Women, often the primary caretakers of households, took charge of watering and protecting the trees. Children grew up seeing these plants as siblings — nurturing them daily. This intergenerational involvement created emotional investment and ensured survival rates far higher than conventional plantation drives.
To strengthen community participation, Jyani organized awareness campaigns, training programs, and educational workshops. He collaborated with panchayats, NGOs, and government departments, creating a synergy between policy and public participation.
Within a decade, Familial Forestry had spread to more than 15,000 villages, involving over 25 lakh (2.5 million) families and resulting in the planting of more than 3.5 crore (35 million) trees across Rajasthan.
This remarkable achievement earned Shyam Sunder Jyani recognition as one of India’s most effective environmental reformers.
Core Philosophy: Family, Faith, and Forests
The brilliance of Jyani’s concept lies in its cultural integration. Instead of relying on external incentives or complex technology, he turned tree planting into a deeply personal act rooted in family and faith.
In India, where family is the cornerstone of society, his approach struck a profound emotional chord. By encouraging people to view trees as “green family members,” he gave environmentalism a cultural context — something easy to relate to, cherish, and sustain.
He often says:
“When a tree becomes part of the family, it never dies of neglect.”
This philosophy redefines afforestation from a bureaucratic activity into a social celebration. The result: survival rates of trees under Familial Forestry are as high as 90%, compared to 30–40% in typical government drives.
Educational Impact and Student Involvement
As a sociology professor, Jyani has always believed that education is the most powerful tool for social change. He integrated environmental awareness into his teaching, making his classrooms not just centers of learning but nurseries of change.
He involved thousands of students from colleges across Rajasthan in plantation drives, eco-literacy programs, and fieldwork. These young volunteers not only planted trees but also helped spread the Familial Forestry concept to their own villages. Over time, Jyani built a network of youth eco-leaders — educated, motivated, and socially responsible.
This fusion of education and ecology also gave rise to new academic discussions around environmental sociology — exploring how human behavior, social structure, and family values can shape sustainability outcomes.
National and Global Recognition
Professor Jyani’s pioneering work has received widespread appreciation both nationally and internationally.
In 2021, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recognized him with the World Restoration Flagship Award under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030) — a global acknowledgment of his innovative, scalable, and community-led approach to reforestation.
He has also been honored by the Government of India, the Rajasthan State Government, and several environmental organizations for his contribution to sustainable development.
Jyani’s model is now being studied and replicated in other dryland states like Gujarat, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, as well as in parts of Africa with similar ecological challenges.
Social and Environmental Impact
The impact of Familial Forestry is both measurable and transformative. The millions of trees planted have:
- Reduced soil erosion and desertification.
- Improved groundwater recharge and microclimate conditions.
- Provided shade and fodder for livestock.
- Supported biodiversity by restoring native species.
- Empowered women and families as active participants in climate resilience.
But beyond these tangible benefits, the biggest achievement lies in the mindset shift. People no longer see tree planting as charity or duty — they see it as an extension of love, family, and culture.
Jyani’s model also bridges the urban-rural divide. In cities like Jaipur and Bikaner, educated families are now adopting his approach — planting trees in memory of loved ones or as gifts for newborns. What started as a local initiative has evolved into a moral and emotional movement across India.
A Vision Rooted in Hope
Professor Shyam Sunder Jyani continues to teach sociology, travel to rural areas, and personally motivate families to join his mission. His dream is to see one tree in every Indian household, turning the country’s 30 crore families into 30 crore micro-forests.
He believes that if every family nurtures even one tree as their own, India can reverse ecological degradation and lead the world in people-driven environmental recovery.
In his words:
“Development and nature are not enemies — they are siblings. We must learn to grow together.”
Conclusion
Professor Shyam Sunder Jyani’s life is a powerful testament to how cultural wisdom and social innovation can heal the environment. His concept of Familial Forestry has redefined tree planting from a government program into a household tradition — blending emotion with ecology, and family love with sustainability.
In the dry sands of Rajasthan, where survival itself is a challenge, Jyani has sown seeds of hope, faith, and future. His work reminds us that the fight against climate change does not always need grand technology or global conferences — sometimes, it simply begins at home, with one family and one tree.
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