A tree being planted as part of the Billion Trees initiative. (BAPS)

Joining the campaign to plant a billion trees in America by 2020, the U.S. chapter of BAPS Charities, an India-based non-profit body, has donated $165,000 for the initiative through a series of ‘walkathons’ across North America, writes Lalit K. Jha.

A check of $165,000 raised through ‘Walk Green 2017’ walkathons, was presented to The Nature Conservancy earlier, a media release said.

A check for $165,000 being presented by BAPS America to The Nature Conservancy. (BAPS)

Over the last six months, BAPS Charities hosted their annual walkathons at 63 venues across North America.

Last year, BAPS Charities organized walkathons nationally, helping plant a total of 70,000 trees across the country to contribute to a broader goal of planting a billion trees by 2020.

“BAPS Charities activities reinforce the importance of serving others, raising awareness about important causes, and this year, protecting the planet through practice is important to my family and me,” said Anand Mehta, a participant in the day’s activities.

Ahmedabad-based BAPS Charities has led several projects around the world in health care, education, environmental causes, and community-building campaigns.

The Billion Tree Campaign was launched by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) in various countries in response to the threat of global warming, as well as to a wider array of sustainability challenges from water supply to biodiversity loss.