For most people, planting a tree is a one-time symbolic act. But for Maharashtra’s Beed district-based environmental activist Sudhakar Deshmukh, it has been a mission lasting more than four decades. Hailing from Mamdapur village in Ambejogai tehsil, Deshmukh has dedicated his life to planting and distributing saplings across the state, turning everyday social occasions into opportunities for environmental action. 18 lakh saplings and counting Over the years, Deshmukh is believed to have distributed more than 18 lakh saplings across Maharashtra. What makes his effort unique is how these saplings are shared. They are gifted during weddings, birthdays, housewarming ceremonies, retirement functions, religious events and public gatherings, making tree plantation a part of social celebrations. Seeds of a movement born in childhood Deshmukh’s journey began in his early years, when he worked in fields and grazed cattle. During that time, he often survived on wild fruits and edible plants found in forests and farmlands. Instead of throwing away the seeds of the fruits he ate, he began planting them in open spaces, along riverbanks and rocky …