Beyond his spiritual duties 33-year-old priest Ankit Dhyani of Devprayag is on a mission to reforest the Himalayan mountains and foothills ravaged by deforestation and fires through his grassroots initiative, GoGreenIndia.
Ankit Dhyani, a 33-year-old priest residing at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers in the sacred town of Devprayag, goes beyond his religious responsibilities at the revered Badrinath temple. But it is his commitment to restoring Uttarakhand’s fragile Himalayan landscape that binds him to the earth.
His life is a harmonious blend of spirituality and environmental stewardship. He is leading a movement to reforest the mountains and the foothills, which have been devastated by deforestation since the British era and by more recent forest fires.
Dhyani invites people through his GoGreenIndia initiative to sponsor the planting of saplings in their name or to mark special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. The response has been overwhelming, with requests pouring in from across the country.
“It has been incredible to see how many people want to get involved,” he said. “People from cities, towns and villages alike see this as a way to give back to the earth.”
Before he adopted priesthood, a family tradition, Dhyani was earning his livelihood in the urban corporate world.
“Cities are jungles without trees,” he remarked. “They are jungles minus greenery. I couldn’t breathe concrete and air coming out of the gutters.”
Disillusioned by the smog-choked city life, he sought solace in the serene hills of Devprayag in 2017. Here, amidst the crisp mountain air, lush forests and the soothing sounds of rushing rivers, he found what the city could never offer — a deep connection with nature.
“What I didn’t feel back in the city, I found in tune with nature back home,” he said. From the peaks to the valleys, Dhyani sensed a calling — one that would lead him to become an environmentalist.
His newfound peace was soon disrupted. When news of a weather-resistant road being constructed between Rishikesh and Badrinath reached Dhyani, he was alarmed. The road, while facilitating easier pilgrimages, came at an enormous environmental cost — hundreds of trees were being felled without any plans for reforestation.
“Watching our forests being razed to the ground was a sight of devastation,” Dhyani said. “The trees that have stood here for centuries, providing shade, oxygen and sustenance, were being wiped out in a matter of months.”
Determined to counter this destruction, Dhyani set out on a personal mission to restore what had been lost. He began planting saplings wherever he could — in the fields surrounding Devprayag, in temple gardens and on unused land. Though small in scale, his efforts were unwavering.
“Even one tree can make a difference,” he said.
Dhyani started with species native to the region, which hold deep cultural and ecological significance. “These trees are part of our heritage,” he said. “They have been worshipped for centuries because they sustain life, and I wanted to ensure their legacy continued.”
Yet, as Dhyani’s planting efforts grew, so did the realisation that he couldn’t tackle this monumental challenge alone. The scale of the problem was simply too vast.
“I was planting as many trees as I could, but the scale of the problem was overwhelming,” he admitted. That’s when he turned to a powerful tool he had seen used by environmental activists worldwide —social media.
Dhyani launched GoGreenIndia, a grassroots initiative. With the growing popularity of GoGreenIndia on social media, the number of trees being planted surged. To date, over 15,000 saplings have been planted in the mountains and foothills, including peepal, mango and guava, which offer medicinal benefits and bear fruit, as well as banyan, gulmohar and deodar, which enhance biodiversity and prevent soil erosion. Each tree is carefully chosen to suit the local climate and ecosystem, ensuring it thrives and contributes to the surrounding environment.
What began as a solo effort has blossomed into a vibrant community movement. Recognising the need to engage others in his mission, Dhyani reached out to the local youth, explaining the urgent need to combat global warming and protect the environment.
The response was positive. Young people from Devprayag and nearby villages joined Dhyani, eager to learn about the importance of trees and contribute to the cause. Together, they now plant an average of three to four saplings every day. For these volunteers, working alongside Dhyani is more than just an environmental effort — it is a journey of reconnecting with their roots.
“I had never really thought about the impact of trees before,” said a teenage volunteer. “But after hearing Ankit-ji talk about how trees help clean the air, provide food and even help regulate the temperature, I realised how important they are. Now, every time I plant a sapling, I feel like I’m doing something that will benefit future generations.”
As GoGreenIndia continued to grow, Dhyani realised that the young trees were at risk of being damaged by animals or human activity. Once again, he turned to his online followers, this time requesting donations of tree guards.
“We received thousands of tree guards from people all across the country,” Dhyani said. “It showed me that people are willing to support this cause. They just need the right opportunity.”
With nearly 48,000 followers on Instagram, GoGreenIndia has become more than just a reforestation effort — it is the bearer of hope for those who want to take action against climate change. Dhyani frequently posts updates on the trees being planted, shares stories from volunteers and encourages others to join the movement. The success of GoGreenIndia is deeply personal for him.
“There is an unparalleled joy in planting a tree,” Dhyani said. “And to see so many others join me in this effort, it’s humbling and inspiring. Every time I plant a sapling, I feel a sense of peace and fulfilment. It’s as though I’m sowing a future filled with hope and life.”
The young Devprayag priest’s mission sums up an ancient Chinese monk’s axiom — “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
The lead image on top shows Ankit Dhyani on a plantation drive with fellow volunteers. (Photo courtesy Ankit Dhyani)
Kumar Gaurav, a Village Square Fellow 2023-24, is a multilingual audio-visual journalist based in Bihar.
