– Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa
Under the wide-open skies of India, a quiet revolution took root – not in the halls of power or the offices of NGOs, but in the laughter-filled voices of children with tiny hands, gently pressing saplings into the soil.
From plains to the Punjab, the Children Islamic Organisation (CIO) led a powerful, month-long environmental campaign titled “Hands in Soil, Heart with India” countrywide from June 25 to July 25, 2025. This was no symbolic exercise. It was a grassroots movement – literally – to plant life, protect green cover, and nurture a generation of environmentally conscious citizens.
And who were the campaigners?
Thousands of children – many not yet teenagers – each holding a sapling with care, giving it a name, pledging to protect it as they would a friend.
A Forest of Affection: 10 Lakh Saplings, 10 Lakh Promises
Over the course of just one month, CIO’s young members planted over 10 lakh saplings across India – in schoolyards, masjid compounds, public parks, footpaths, village fields, and city corners.
But the most touching part?
Each child named the tree they planted.
They gave them names like Aman, Aafiyah, Dharti, Rahmat, and Azadi. They didn’t see them as objects to be planted and forgotten – but as living beings to be loved and guarded.
“This is Neem my medicinal tree,” said an 11-year-old in Lucknow. “I will water it every Friday.”
CIO facilitators encouraged the children to “own” the saplings emotionally and socially – by tracking their growth, protecting them from damage, and educating others about their importance.
It wasn’t just an act of planting – it was a gesture of pledging lifelong companionship with nature.
Marching for the Planet: Voices That Echoed Across India
Beyond planting, children across India also took to the streets in peaceful, joyful rallies – carrying placards, singing chants, and shouting slogans like:
“Save Tree, Save Earth!”
“Green India, Clean India!”
“Hamari Dharti, Hamari Zimmedari!”
Wearing CIO caps and smiles, they marched in school corridors, local parks, and city lanes – their slogans simple, their spirit profound. In places like Ranchi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Surat, these rallies drew attention from local leaders and media alike.
In Bengaluru, CIO children visited Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, home to some of the oldest trees in South India. Standing before a centuries-old giant tree, one child whispered in awe:
“This gigantic tree was once a small sapling – just like the one I planted. If God wills, our trees too will live long, protect the Earth, and give more oxygen.”
That moment – raw, reflective, and full of hope – captured the essence of the campaign.
Planting Trees, Cultivating Souls
The campaign’s core was simple, yet profound: Children must not only learn about the environment – they must interact with it, care for it, and befriend it.
In city gardens and village outskirts, children of CIO:
- Dug soil with their own hands.
- Chose native, sustainable trees suited to the local climate.
- Decorated their trees with handmade signs.
- Committed to checking on them regularly – like guardians of a green generation.
In many cases, entire families joined the drive, inspired by the children’s sincerity.
“When my son came home and asked me to help protect Insaniyat, the tree he planted, I couldn’t say no,” shared a parent in Pune.
Going Digital: Amplifying Little Voices
To amplify the message, CIO smartly used social media – turning each tree into a moment of storytelling.
Photographs, reels, and short videos of children planting trees, speaking about the environment, and participating in rallies were shared across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp. These vibrant clips carried far beyond their towns and touched thousands of digital hearts.
A video from West Bengal showing a girl declaring, “This tree is my best friend!” went viral among local eco-groups.
Drawing and slogan competitions were also held, giving children a creative outlet to express their thoughts. Crayon-streaked posters with messages like “Don’t Cut Me, I Breathe for You” and “Trees are Life’s Soldiers” added colour and conviction to the movement.
An Ethical Legacy: Islam and the Environment
Though the campaign remained open, inclusive, and pluralistic, it drew inspiration from Islamic teachings that celebrate nature and emphasise human responsibility toward it.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “If the Hour (Day of Judgment) is about to be established and one of you was holding a sapling, let him plant it.” (Musnad Ahmad)
Such timeless wisdom framed the CIO campaign, reminding children that caring for trees is a sacred act – one that benefits animals, humans, and the planet alike.
Islam views the Earth as a trust (Amanah), and CIO tapped into this spiritual vision to motivate action. Children were taught that every drop saved, every tree protected, is a form of Sadaqah Jariyah – a continuous charity.
Secular Spirit, Shared Soil
Though driven by a faith-based organisation, the campaign was inclusive in vision and outreach. In many cities, children of other faiths joined the plantation drives, guided by the same spirit of environmental responsibility.
The campaign title – “Hands in Soil, Heart with India” – became a slogan of unity. In a world fractured by division, these young children built a bridge of green hope.
It was a declaration: our roots may differ, but our soil is shared.
Looking Ahead: A Green Legacy in Little Feet
The CIO has announced plans to track the planted saplings through follow-up visits and local volunteers. Children will be encouraged to write diaries, take photos, and submit reports on their trees’ health – ensuring the campaign becomes a long-term commitment, not a one-time event.
In doing so, CIO isn’t just building forests – it’s building future leaders.
Leaders who understand that protecting nature is not an option, but a duty of civilization.
Closing Note: From Sapling to Symbol
At a time when climate anxiety grips adults and apathy clouds policy, CIO’s young environmentalists bring clarity, courage, and hope. They remind us that green change need not wait for tomorrow’s leaders – it can begin in schoolyards and masjid courtyards, with tiny hands and pure hearts.
In the rustle of these new leaves, one can already hear the whisper of a better India.
