Plants in UP’s Schools Were Dying Until Students Began Naming Them After Their Teachers

Jul 24, 2026, 05:11 PM

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

During recess, older children race towards a young sapling. One student steps in front of it, shielding the plant with his body. Here, every tree has someone looking out for it.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

Growing more than trees

Across Kanpur, Prayagraj and Farrukhabad, nearly 10,000 saplings have been planted. Around 75% are surviving, thanks to students who care for them every day. 

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

At government schools in Kanpur, children water saplings, clear dry leaves and protect young plants. The trees have moved beyond textbooks to become part of their daily lives. .

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

The seed of an idea

In 2023, social entrepreneur and research scholar Vaibhav Rathore launched Revamp India Foundation after working on waste management issues in Kanpur.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

Faldaar was created to solve a common problem: saplings were being planted across UP but rarely survived because no one cared for them afterwards.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

The initiative planted fruit-bearing trees like mango, guava, amla, and jamun in government schools, bringing nutrition, shade, and biodiversity to campuses.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

Turning trees into family

Vaibhav discovered a simple truth — people protect what they feel connected to. So every sapling was given a name, often after a teacher.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

Children were divided into groups and assigned responsibility for a named tree. Suddenly, caring for a sapling felt personal, meaningful, and important.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

The change showed in the numbers. After Faldaar introduced storytelling and student participation, around seven to eight of every 10 saplings survived. 

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

‘My Plant, My Responsibility’

At PM Shri Primary School in Kanpur, students begin their day by watering, cleaning, and checking the health of “their” trees.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

The care follows them home. Children plant saplings on birthdays, gift them on special occasions and grow trees in their parents’ names. 

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

Learning beyond classrooms

Science lessons happen under leafy canopies. Students write poems about trees and track growth cycles, turning plantation into experiential learning.

Photo Credit : Vaibhav Rathore

Today, Faldaar partners with 50–60 government schools in each of the three districts it covers. A team of 25–30 volunteers leads storytelling sessions and plantation drives. 

A generation rooted in care

Faldaar’s success isn’t just a 75% tree survival rate. It’s proof that when children form emotional bonds with nature, care grows and lasts.