A travel blog by John Bett, TN On-site Verification Manager
A Journey with Purpose
From January 5th to 18th 2025, I embarked on a remarkable journey across India, traveling through four cities to verify tree-planting efforts across different projects. The trip was more than just an assessment—it was an adventure through India’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and ways of life.
However, getting to India wasn’t as simple as booking a flight. Since I had never traveled to India, securing a visa took weeks of paperwork and patience. But when I finally stepped foot in the country, all the challenges faded into the background, replaced by the excitement of discovery.
Touchdown in India & The Long Road to Jamshedpur
After landing in India, my first stop was Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. This involved a 2.5-hour flight to Ranchi and a grueling 6-hour road journey. The roads were bumpy, filled with honking trucks and colorful buses, but they led me to a city known for its industrial heritage and green surroundings.
The following morning, I set off for Mayurbhanj, Odisha, the first project site - Trees for Tigers project. This visit was an eye-opener—thousands of trees had been planted, covering vast stretches of land. I assessed the species planted, checked their health, and interacted with local communities. Women, men, and youth were actively involved, making tree planting a collective effort.
One of my first cultural shocks came with food. Unlike home, where beef is common, India is predominantly vegetarian, and cows are considered sacred. Most meals consisted of lentils, rice, and vegetables. It was a new way of life, but I embraced it, enjoying dishes full of flavors and spices I had never experienced before.
Into the Heart of Chhattisgarh: Trees for Tribals
From Ranchi, I took a flight to Raipur, followed by an exhausting 5-hour road trip to Jagdalpur in the heart of Chhattisgarh’s tribal belt. Here, I visited the Bastar tribal project [Trees for Tribals], where indigenous communities were reclaiming their land through afforestation.
The hospitality was overwhelming. I was invited into homes, shared conversations over hot cups of chai, and learned about how trees were restoring not just the environment but also livelihoods. One of the most memorable experiences was eating with the tribals—they served food on large tree leaves. It was a simple yet profound experience, a reminder of how deeply connected they were to nature.
The tribal community in Jagdalpur also gave me my most memorable cultural experience: I was enrolled as an elder and honored with a head turban. It was a moment of deep respect and connection with the people who had welcomed me with open arms.
Lost in Translation: The Language Barrier
India has hundreds of languages, and in some instances, I needed three translators just to communicate a single sentence! I would say something in English, which would then be translated to Hindi, and finally into two other local tribal languages. The process was slow, but it also made me appreciate the richness of India’s linguistic diversity.
During my stay, I also had the honor of participating in the local tribal Pongal festival. There was music, traditional dances, and rituals performed under the open sky. The energy was infectious, and for a moment, I felt like I was a part of something much bigger—an ancient culture still thriving in the modern world.
Tamil Nadu: Trees for Slender Loris
Tamil Nadu introduced me to a new landscape—lush greenery intertwined with the chaos of city life. From Chennai, I embarked on a 6-hour road trip to Villupuram to visit another tribal-led project [Trees for Slender Loris]. The road trip started after I landed in Chennai at 10pm in the night and got to my destination at 4am in the morning, just in time to rest for 2 hours before leaving for the planting site. Endless hours on the road meant catching sleep in the vehicle—well, attempting to. Just as I’d start drifting off, the driver’s wild maneuvers and surprise road bumps turned my nap into an extreme sport. At this point, I wasn’t sleeping—I was surviving.
Here, the Irular community was leading an incredible effort to plant trees and restore degraded lands. The diversity of species, the careful maintenance of saplings, and the active involvement of local youth made this project stand out. I spent time interacting with the villagers, hearing their stories of resilience and transformation.
The food in Tamil Nadu was another adventure altogether. I sampled spicy Chettinad chicken, crispy dosa with coconut chutney, and plenty of chai. Eating using leaves as a plate, as is customary in South India, was something I had to get used to. But by the end of my stay, it felt completely natural.
The Final Stop: Mumbai’s Urban Greenery
From Chennai, I boarded a flight to Mumbai, my last project destination. Unlike the previous locations, the MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) project focused on urban tree planting (popularly known as Trees for Water). It was fascinating to see how trees were being planted on the outskirts of one of the world's busiest cities for the purposes of restoring and maintaining water catchment.
Despite skyscrapers and relentless traffic, green spaces were being nurtured, providing much-needed shade and cleaner air. The project was not just about the environment—it was about making cities livable.
Final Thoughts: A Journey to Remember
Though the journey was exciting, it wasn’t without its challenges—long road trips stretching late into the night, minimal sleep, and back-to-back site visits. But despite the exhaustion, every moment was worth it.
This trip showed me the power of community-led conservation. From the tribals of Bastar to the urban warriors of Mumbai, people were working tirelessly to make India greener. The socio-economic impact was undeniable—tree planting wasn’t just about the environment; it was creating jobs, empowering women, and strengthening local economies.
India, with its vibrant culture, flavorful food, and incredible people, left an indelible mark on me. I arrived as a visitor but left as a friend, carrying memories of spiced food and chai shared under banyan trees, the sight of endless green canopies stretching toward the sky, and the echoes of tribal songs deep in the forests of Bastar.
Would I return? Absolutely. There are many more forests to explore, communities to meet, and trees to plant.
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