Inspired by the Rio conference, a few of our friends, students of JNTU Architecture, Hyderabad Central University, Pendekanti Law College, St. Francis and other institutions - got together and formed a voluntary group called SAPLING-Students Against Polluted Living.
Sapling's first initiative was a Tree Plantation programme at Saroor Nagar Colony on August 15, 1992. We pooled some money from friends and relatives, got saplings and tree guards from HUDA and T Shirts with a sponsorship from 7 Up. We had registered the group in 1993. Held camps and planted 1500 saplings with support from Directorate of Youth Affairs; Initiated waste segregation and a door-to door garbage collection scheme at MCH. Took up Advocacy campaigns on Environment (Deccan Development Society), Child Rights - BAJA, Youth for Kids with support from UNICEF- conducted more than 500 shows in Hyderabad and across the State between 1992-1997.