GLS Marks Centenary With Tree Plantation Drive
GLS Students, Civic Leaders, And Teachers Joined The Centenary Plantation Campaign.
GLS Tree Plantation Drive Adds Green Chapter to Society’s 100-Year Journey
Ahmedabad’s long-standing educational institution, Gujarat Law Society (GLS) added an environmental chapter to its centenary calendar this week when students, teachers and civic leaders gathered at the GLS campus in Ellisbridge for a large tree plantation programme titled Roots of Tomorrow.
The event formed the fifth major activity in the year-long celebrations marking 100 years of Gujarat Law Society, which was founded in 1927 and will formally complete its centenary in 2027. Over the decades, the institution has grown from a single law college into one of Gujarat’s largest education groups, serving thousands of students through colleges and GLS University in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shri Banchhanidhi Pani, IAS, attended the programme as chief guest, while senior journalist Shri Ajay Umat joined the gathering and spoke about the role citizens can play in protecting natural resources and improving urban environments.
The plantation drive took place inside the GLS campus at Ellisbridge and brought together university administrators, faculty members, staff and students from different departments. The participation of students turned the activity into more than a ceremonial event, with many volunteers taking responsibility for caring for the newly planted saplings in the months ahead.
GLS University President Shri Sudhir Nanavati joined the guests in planting trees and later interacted with students. During the interaction, he encouraged young people to take part in environmental activities and reminded them that planting a sapling is only the first step. The long-term success of such programmes depends on watering, protection and regular care.
The message carries importance for rapidly growing cities such as Ahmedabad, where rising temperatures and shrinking green cover have become major urban concerns. Trees help reduce heat, improve air quality, support biodiversity and increase groundwater retention during the monsoon season. Urban planners increasingly see tree planting as one part of the response to climate change and extreme weather conditions.
The Government of Gujarat and local authorities have expanded plantation campaigns in recent years. Earlier this month, the state launched large-scale plantation efforts under Mission Five Million Trees, aiming to increase green cover across cities and rural areas. Educational institutions have become important partners in these campaigns because they can involve large numbers of young volunteers and create awareness among future generations.
Speaking during the programme, Shri Ajay Umat stressed that environmental protection begins with individual responsibility and daily action. He told students that schools and universities play an important role in preparing socially aware citizens who understand the value of conserving natural resources.
One of the central moments of the event came when dignitaries, teachers and students planted saplings together across the campus. Participants later pledged to continue caring for the trees and support environmental activities in the city.
The programme was attended by Dr Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director of GLS University, along with members of the university management team, principals, directors, deans, heads of institutions, faculty members and administrative staff.
The plantation drive also reflected a wider change taking place in higher education institutions across India. Universities are increasingly linking academic life with community work through projects connected to sustainability, waste management, water conservation and public health awareness. Such programmes are often designed to give students experience outside classrooms while encouraging civic participation.
For GLS, environmental work has become one part of a larger centenary calendar that includes academic, social and community activities spread across the year. Earlier events have included programmes on innovation, entrepreneurship and animal welfare, with organisers planning a different flagship initiative each month during the centenary period. The institution had earlier announced plans for a large-scale plantation effort involving thousands of trees during the celebrations.
Founded in 1927 by leading public figures including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ganesh Vasudev Mavlankar and other prominent citizens, Gujarat Law Society has played a significant role in Gujarat’s education sector for nearly a century. Today, the group manages institutions in law, management, commerce, computer applications, design, media and other disciplines, while GLS University, established in 2015, serves as its university arm.
As the centenary celebrations continue, the trees planted during Roots of Tomorrow are expected to remain as a visible reminder of the institution’s attempt to connect education with public responsibility. For students who took part in the programme, the success of the event will not be measured by the number of saplings planted on a single day, but by how many continue to grow in the years ahead.
The plantation drive concluded with participants renewing their commitment to support environmental efforts and contribute towards building a cleaner and greener Ahmedabad for future generations.
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