A Leap Towards Sustainable Cities and Climate Action

VUCCD Team

Madhav Patil, an engineer and social worker in his mid-forties, has dedicated the last five years to a unique mission: saving urban trees from defacement. Whenever he spots an advertisement nailed to a tree, he stops his car, uses a special tool to remove the nails, and dons a helmet for safety. “These tools have been my constant companions,” he says.
Patil spearheads the ‘Nail Free Trees’ campaign, an initiative under the Angholichi Goli Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). Over the past five years, the campaign has successfully removed one lakh nails from trees in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Thane, and Vasai Virar. Their persistent advocacy has convinced ten municipal corporations to issue notifications under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation of Trees Act 1975, aimed at protecting trees and beautifying urban spaces.

The inspiration for the campaign struck Patil during a family vacation in Kolkata. A sapling he had planted recently died due to a lack of water. His eight-year-old daughter’s remark that they had “killed the tree” deeply affected him. The next day, he noticed many trees defaced by advertisements and lights, prompting him to take action. “Removing the first nail felt like saving a tree’s life. Soon, the effort spread across the city,” Patil recalls.

The ‘Nail Free Trees’ movement has garnered significant support in Maharashtra, with over 500 volunteers and partnerships with 100 NGOs in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. Patil’s commitment is rooted in a belief in universal values such as sacrifice, community belonging, and sustainability. Since 2015, through Angholichi Goli, he has been raising awareness about climate change and promoting individual actions to combat its effects.

“Universal values unite us. In this globalized era, those who advocate for humanity and sustainability will leave a lasting legacy. The Nail Free Trees campaign is part of a broader effort towards sustainability. Trees are vital to urban life, and when defaced by hoardings and advertisements, their beauty and health suffer. Renowned scientist Jagdish Bose proved that trees are living beings. Damaging them with nails disrupts their life cycle,” Patil explains.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has responded positively to Patil’s campaign. After continuous follow-ups, the corporation issued a notification for the removal of these advertisements and hoardings. Guruswami Tumbhale, a PMC official, states, “According to the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation of Trees Act 1975, any action harming a tree is a criminal offense. We, along with the Nail Free Trees campaign, have jointly removed nails from trees in the city. This participatory action has raised awareness among residents.”

The campaign started modestly but quickly gained momentum, attracting volunteers from across the state. Avinash Patil, the first volunteer and campaign coordinator, notes that they never actively recruited volunteers; people joined on their own accord. “Responses poured in from various cities in Maharashtra. People saw it as their personal mission. This collective effort led to the removal of one lakh nails over five years. Last year, we organized an exhibition at the Balgandharva Gallery in Pune, showcasing these nails,” he adds.

Initially, Patil funded the initiative himself until a donation from Cummins India in 2023 boosted their efforts. “Residents in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad donated ladders, tools, and helmets. It’s a low-capital initiative, and Cummins India’s support has helped scale our work. We now aim to extend this initiative to small and medium cities across India,” Patil concludes.
Through his dedicated efforts, Madhav Patil and the ‘Nail Free Trees’ campaign exemplify how individual actions can contribute significantly to climate action and the creation of sustainable cities. Their work not only protects trees but also fosters a sense of community and environmental responsibility among urban residents.