How One Man’s ‘Tree Orphanage’ Is Growing Forests and a Greener Future
In Santiniketan, West Bengal, environmentalist Somnath Ghosh is changing the way people think about tree plantation. Instead of encouraging people to simply plant saplings and move on, his Brikkho Foundation asks them to become lifelong guardians by adopting a tree.
Founded in 2021, the initiative believes a tree becomes orphaned when it's planted without proper care or cut down without thought. By promoting long-term responsibility instead of one-day plantation drives, the foundation is building stronger relationships between people and nature.
Before launching Brikkho Foundation, Somnath Ghosh had built a successful multimedia studio after years of hard work. However, his growing passion for wildlife and forests inspired him to leave that career behind and dedicate himself entirely to environmental conservation.
His perspective changed while working with the Burdwan Forest Department, where he witnessed both the beauty of forests and the challenges of protecting them. He realized that while many people enthusiastically planted trees, very few stayed involved long enough to ensure the saplings survived.
That realization became the foundation for an entirely new environmental movement.
Rather than focusing on the number of saplings planted, Brikkho Foundation focuses on keeping them alive. For a one-time contribution of ₹600, people can adopt a native tree, which the foundation plants, monitors, and maintains for three years until it becomes self-sustaining.
Each adopter receives a Green Hero Certificate, geo-tagged tree location, regular progress updates, and access to an online Track My Plant feature. This transparency allows supporters to watch their trees grow over time, creating a personal connection with the environment.
Brikkho Foundation's mission extends far beyond planting trees. Through initiatives like Mission Clean Santiniketan, volunteers regularly clean the Kopai River, remove plastic waste from forests, and work alongside local communities to promote sustainable environmental practices.
The foundation also conducts awareness campaigns across villages, shares organic farming techniques, and collaborates with tribal communities to preserve traditional ecological knowledge. Alongside conservation work, volunteers distribute food, medicines, and other essential support to families in need.
Today, Brikkho Foundation has inspired more than 500 tree adopters, including supporters from across India and the global Bengali community. But for Somnath Ghosh, success isn't measured by the number of trees planted—it's measured by the number of people who choose to care for them.
His long-term vision, Mission Green Santiniketan 2050, aims to replace aging trees, restore biodiversity, and create greener public spaces for future generations. By transforming tree planting into lifelong guardianship, Brikkho Foundation is proving that lasting environmental change begins with one person choosing to protect one tree.
In Santiniketan, West Bengal, environmentalist Somnath Ghosh is changing the way people think about tree plantation. Instead of encouraging people to simply plant saplings and move on, his Brikkho Foundation asks them to become lifelong guardians by adopting a tree.
In Santiniketan, West Bengal, environmentalist Somnath Ghosh is changing the way people think about tree plantation. Instead of encouraging people to simply plant saplings and move on, his Brikkho Foundation asks them to become lifelong guardians by adopting a tree.
Founded in 2021, the initiative believes a tree becomes orphaned when it's planted without proper care or cut down without thought. By promoting long-term responsibility instead of one-day plantation drives, the foundation is building stronger relationships between people and nature.
Before launching Brikkho Foundation, Somnath Ghosh had built a successful multimedia studio after years of hard work. However, his growing passion for wildlife and forests inspired him to leave that career behind and dedicate himself entirely to environmental conservation.
His perspective changed while working with the Burdwan Forest Department, where he witnessed both the beauty of forests and the challenges of protecting them. He realized that while many people enthusiastically planted trees, very few stayed involved long enough to ensure the saplings survived.
That realization became the foundation for an entirely new environmental movement.
Rather than focusing on the number of saplings planted, Brikkho Foundation focuses on keeping them alive. For a one-time contribution of ₹600, people can adopt a native tree, which the foundation plants, monitors, and maintains for three years until it becomes self-sustaining.
Each adopter receives a Green Hero Certificate, geo-tagged tree location, regular progress updates, and access to an online Track My Plant feature. This transparency allows supporters to watch their trees grow over time, creating a personal connection with the environment.
Brikkho Foundation's mission extends far beyond planting trees. Through initiatives like Mission Clean Santiniketan, volunteers regularly clean the Kopai River, remove plastic waste from forests, and work alongside local communities to promote sustainable environmental practices.
The foundation also conducts awareness campaigns across villages, shares organic farming techniques, and collaborates with tribal communities to preserve traditional ecological knowledge. Alongside conservation work, volunteers distribute food, medicines, and other essential support to families in need.
Today, Brikkho Foundation has inspired more than 500 tree adopters, including supporters from across India and the global Bengali community. But for Somnath Ghosh, success isn't measured by the number of trees planted—it's measured by the number of people who choose to care for them.
His long-term vision, Mission Green Santiniketan 2050, aims to replace aging trees, restore biodiversity, and create greener public spaces for future generations. By transforming tree planting into lifelong guardianship, Brikkho Foundation is proving that lasting environmental change begins with one person choosing to protect one tree.