“Trees do not ask for recognition, yet they silently give us life. In the same way, true service to the planet happens quietly, without seeking applause. But when the world forgets the importance of forests, rivers, and clean air, it is the duty of a few to remind humanity of its responsibilities.”
Prof. B. Leela, Retd. Principal, Govt. College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
The seeds of We Grow Forest Foundation were sown long before it became a registered organization. It started as a quiet revolution in the heart of Prof. B. Leela, a professor of philosophy, an unshakable environmentalist, and a woman who never believed in loud proclamations but in silent action. During her tenure as a professor, she instilled in her students a love for nature; not through textbooks, but through action. She would take her students into the wilderness, showing them the life in the rustling leaves, the whispers of the wind, and the resilience of the soil.
After her retirement in 2002, she did not stop. She continued her work without an audience, without funds, without banners. She planted trees, nurtured life, and advocated fiercely for the planet at a time when environmental consciousness was still a foreign concept to many. She never sought validation, never knocked on doors for support; because, for her, planting a tree was a prayer, an act of faith, and a promise to future generations.
But history tells us that revolutions, no matter how silent, never die. They take root, grow, and find their moment. For We Grow Forest Foundation, that moment came during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world was in chaos, yet it was in this stillness that Dr. Meera Asmi, alongside Dr. Merin Jacob and a group of strong, determined women from diverse walks of life, decided it was time to give life to a vision that had waited too long. What began as an individual’s mission transformed into a collective movement; a registered environmental NGO built on passion, resilience, and the legacy of silent warriors like Prof. Leela. And that was when the Bollywood action-packed journey truly began.
Five years after its official inception, one harsh reality became clear; being an NGO in India is a thankless, uphill battle. The term “NGO” in our society is often equated with begging, unemployment, or worse, scams. Unless an NGO is backed by a corporate giant, a religious institution, a political party, or a celebrity, it struggles to breathe, let alone make an impact.
Grassroots NGOs, the ones truly working on the ground, are often seen as people with no substance, those who can be taken for a ride. While this perception is unfair, we cannot completely blame society for it. Fraud exists everywhere. There have been “God-like” figures in the NGO sector who have looted the public in the name of charity. MNCs have their own NGOs, channeling funds within their ecosystem, leaving independent organizations gasping for support. And how can a regular NGO even hope for funding when government-backed initiatives like PM Cares offer 100% tax deductions under Section 80G and CSR eligibility?
But the corruption runs deeper. We have experienced it firsthand.
There were moments when corporate managers sat across the table from us, promising funds; only if 80% was returned back to them. There were times when government officials asked for an unthinkable number of documents, only to back out unless bribed. The dark reality of the NGO sector in India is that 99% of grassroots organizations stand no chance of survival unless they compromise their ethics. Most NGOs don’t even have a website because they are barely surviving.
And yet, We Grow Forest Foundation refused to give up.
At a time when the very existence of an independent NGO seemed impossible, We Grow Forest Foundation defied expectations. We travelled to the United Nations. We presented papers, spoke on global platforms, and attended the Geneva Peace Week, standing alongside world leaders and making it clear; NGOs still have a role to play. We built partnerships, initiated programs, and fought every single day to retain our identity. We were not just another NGO that faded into oblivion. We were a movement, a call to action, and a reminder that true change does not come from power, money, or fame; it comes from courage, integrity, and an unshakable commitment to the planet.
Today, We Grow Forest Foundation is not just a registered NGO. It is a legacy. It is the living proof that one woman’s silent revolution can grow into a movement that challenges the very fabric of a broken system. We have no corporate handouts, no political affiliations, no celebrity endorsements; only our work, our people, and our determination. And that is precisely why we are known today as one of the most committed, grassroots-driven environmental NGOs in the country.
The road ahead is not easy. We still battle perceptions, bureaucratic red tape, and an overwhelming lack of financial support. Instead of seeking donations, we sell our expertise by organizing impactful tree-planting drives, offering carbon offset solutions, providing sustainability consulting, and conducting awareness sessions for schools, colleges, and corporates. We also empower individuals by publishing books, creating digital platforms, producing eco-friendly products like Saree Bags, and partnering with organizations for CSR-driven environmental initiatives. But what keeps us going is the belief that forests still matter, that the planet still deserves a fighting chance, and that there are still people in this world who will plant a tree without expecting applause.
We are not just planting trees; we are planting hope.
We are not just growing forests; we are growing a movement.
We are not just another NGO; we are We Grow Forest Foundation.
Our journey began with a seed of thought and grew into a forest of action. Through challenges and small victories, our roots deepened; proving change grows best when driven by collective purpose.
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