Arunachalam Pandiyan

Indian environmentalist who single-handedly planted 1.2 million trees in a barren region

Arunachalam Pandiyan (born 1970) is a self-taught environmentalist from Tamil Nadu, India, who gained international recognition for his extraordinary efforts to combat desertification. Starting in 1985 at age 15, he began planting trees in the arid Veerapandi area where his family faced severe water shortages. Over 35 years, he planted over 1.2 million trees using traditional methods, creating a forest that now spans 13 acres. His work transformed the region's ecology, restoring groundwater levels and supporting biodiversity. Pandiyan's approach blended indigenous knowledge with modern environmental science, refusing external funding to maintain independence. His story inspired the 2017 documentary Planting Hope One Tree at a Time, featured on TED Talks. He was awarded the Green Hub Award in 2019 for grassroots environmental leadership.