"Carbon Boy" - Aditya Shankar Pandey Leads Green Revolution in Remote Schools of Indore Region as Climate Ambassador at the Council Of Royal Roots

Aditya Shankar Pandey, fondly known as ‘Ram’, and affectionately called "Carbon Boy" by his mentor Positive Rishikumar, the visionary Founder of the Council Of Royal Roots, is continuing to inspire communities through his innovative and heartfelt approach to carbon farming, conservation, and environmental education for young minds. As the torchbearer of the Haryali Se Khushali mission, inspired by Shri Brijesh Pandey, Deputy Commissioner for Tribal and SC Welfare, Ram is introducing his beloved “tree friends” to young leaders from different corners of the world—spreading awareness about carbon farming by planting native Indian trees and long-living species like the Baobab, a majestic tree known for storing a large amount of carbon each year.

Ram lovingly shares the story of his “oldest friend,” the Baobab tree, with fellow students. He teaches them why thousands of Baobabs were planted in Mandav more than 500 years ago, and why they continue to play a crucial role in the ecosystem today. During a recent visit to Mandav, alongside his mentor Positive Rishikumar, Ram began documenting the history of Baobabs and identifying each location where these ancient trees, some over 500 years old, still stand tall. Mandav, perched about 1,000 feet above sea level, has historically faced water scarcity, making the survival of these trees a powerful testament to nature’s resilience.

The Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) possesses a unique root system—wide-spreading and deeply anchored—enabling it to thrive in harsh, arid environments like Mandav. Interestingly, Mandav is the only place in India where thousands of Baobabs can be found, often one in every kilometre. Depending on factors like age, size, and environmental conditions, a mature Baobab is estimated to sequester 250–500 kilograms of carbon annually—making it an invaluable climate ally.

Revered as the "Tree of Life," the Baobab stores up to 100,000 liters (26,000+ gallons) of water in its massive trunk, helping it endure even the most prolonged droughts. Its roots can stretch as deep as 30 meters (100 feet) underground in search of water. This extraordinary water-holding capacity sustains the tree and surrounding ecosystems, playing a vital role in conserving water in drought-prone areas.

In regions of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, which frequently face dry spells, the Baobab emerges as an ideal climate-resilient species. Its role in afforestation, carbon capture, and water conservation is complemented by its deep cultural and ecological significance—especially among tribal communities who have long respected these natural giants.

After his exploration of Mandav’s Baobabs, Ram took his mentor to nearby tribal schools to showcase the transformative impact of the Haryali Se Khushali initiative. These visits are part of a larger mission—empowering rural and tribal youth to become guardians of nature. Ram actively engaged with both students and teachers, encouraging them to practice carbon farming by planting native and fruit-bearing trees around their school grounds and village lands. His approach goes beyond just planting trees—it’s about nurturing a culture of climate resilience, environmental awareness, and sustainable living.

Under Ram’s leadership, hundreds of saplings of native species like neem, amla, mango, and jamun were planted eight years ago, supported by dedicated school children and teachers who took a pledge to care for them. The concept of carbon farming, which supports the natural process of carbon sequestration in both soil and plant biomass, is steadily gaining popularity as a cost-effective, high-impact solution for climate action. Aditya is deeply committed to spreading this model to many more schools and communities.

Aditya strongly believes that the key to tackling the climate crisis lies in educating and empowering young minds in rural areas. He explains:

“Under the Haryali Se Khushali Project, my mission is to make every child a ‘Green Guardian’—one tree at a time, one village at a time. Carbon Farming is not just a method, it’s a movement to bring prosperity through greenery, where our culture meets climate action.”

Mentor Positive Rishikumar, who has walked with Aditya every step of his journey, proudly reflects that the title “Carbon Boy” perfectly captures the energy, vision, and dedication of a new generation of climate warriors rising from the heartlands of Bharat.

As Climate Ambassador at Council Of Royal Roots, he sees this initiative as a replicable and scalable model for grassroots climate action—one that seamlessly blends education, sustainability, and heritage conservation. With Aditya leading the way, the project is not only planting trees but also sowing seeds of hope, resilience, and environmental consciousness among the next generation.

Aditya’s journey is a shining reminder that climate leadership knows no age, and that real change truly begins at the grassroots—both in spirit and in soil.