The accelerating destruction of the world's forests threatens the planet's ecological and economic health. Flooding and drought become more extreme. Trees act as 'carbon sinks', absorbing carbon dioxide; one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

A recent study by the World Resources Institute in Washington concluded that 76 countries have cut down all their ancient forests, while 11 others have less than 5% of their original woodlands left. The world continues to destroy an expanse of forest the size of Nepal every year. Asia has lost almost 95% of its frontier woodlands.

Since 1995, more than 1,200,000 trees have been planted in 2,170 villages in India by the volunteers of BAPS Charities. All of the trees planted are categorically recorded and their progress is monitored by the volunteers.