From medical health counselor to environmental champion, Aien Amri is making a difference. Her campaign to plant one million Moringa trees in Northeast India is improving lives and landscapes, one tree at a time
BY Navin Upadhyay
One million Moringa trees: that’s the ambitious goal of a campaign sweeping across Northeast India. At the helm is Aien Amri, a medical health counselor from Nagaland, whose passion for nature has propelled her into the role of environmental champion. Her work has earned her the moniker “Moringa Girl,” and her influence is growing.\
Aien Amri‘s journey from concerned college student to environmental champion is a testament to the power of individual action. She is the driving force behind Climate Action 2025, a project aiming to plant one million Moringa trees across Northeast India. This initiative, building on the success of planting 150,000 seeds in Nagaland, represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the region.
Talking about what motivated her to take up planting Moringa trees, Amri said it all started with the all-round affliction during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Then I read about the magical healing properties of Moringa and started planting these trees. I never thought it would someday become such a big mission.”
Getting ready for my Climate action 2025💚🌿planting 1 million Moringa trees . 60% in meghalaaya 40% in NE INDIA pic.twitter.com/QSy3kHu6Pn
— AIEN AMRI( Moringa Girl Nagaland)🌿 (@aienamri) January 31, 2025
Amri explains that Moringa provides essential nutrients, contributing to improved health, and acts as a natural soil conditioner, vital for combating land degradation. “This combination of human and environmental benefits makes the Moringa tree a powerful symbol of sustainable development,” she said.
“It’s not something one can do alone,” she told Power Corridors. “I started with a group of 11 like-minded friends, and then the movement grew in course of time. Now we have roped in hundreds of schools, colleges, churches, NGOs, and civic bodies to become partners in this mission.” Alongside this group, she started small, focusing on local planting initiatives in Mokokchung and raising awareness about climate action. This grassroots experience provided a valuable foundation for her larger projects.
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Explaining how they plan to achieve this ambitious mission, she said they have procured seeds from Nagpur in advance and would distribute them to different institutions. “With proper light, good soil, and manure, the seeds grow into saplings in a week. Then we could either redistribute them or let those institutions plant them where they wish.”
Amri’s vision for Climate Action 2025 is multifaceted. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about fostering community engagement, raising awareness, and empowering individuals to take ownership of their environment. To achieve this, Amri has forged partnerships with a diverse range of organizations, including the North East India Christian Council (NEICC), ADC Jorhat, Oriental Theological College, Hope Academy in Dimapur, and ETC Jorhat. This collaborative approach ensures the project’s impact resonates across different segments of society. The inclusion of Team PETA this year adds another dimension, bringing expertise in animal welfare and advocacy to the climate change conversation.
In 2021, Amri’s work expanded significantly through a partnership with the Global Campaign for Peace Education (GCPE), introduced by Dr. Leban Serto and coordinated globally by Dr. Tony Jenkins. The initial goal was to plant 10,000 Moringa trees across Southeast Asia. However, the campaign quickly surpassed expectations, planting over 50,000 trees in the first year alone. The following year saw another 50,000 trees planted, extending the project’s reach to countries including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and even South Africa, thanks to a collaboration with Mariana Price’s Shine Africa Campaign.
A key milestone was the involvement of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in 2024. The NBCC’s commitment, demonstrated by their procurement and distribution of 24 kilograms of high-quality Moringa seeds, resulted in the planting of 105,000 seeds across Nagaland. This grassroots mobilization, led by NBCC’s General Secretary Rev. Zelhou Keyho and Youth Secretary Rev. Suhoto Chishi, underscores the power of community-led initiatives.
On who is funding this mission, Amri said, “The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangama, was kind enough to support us in a big way. We would be planting nearly 6 lakh trees in Meghalaya, and the rest across Northeast states,” she said. “Manipur will be a special focus where they would be planting around one lakh trees,” she said. “We are getting in touch with farmers, social workers, welfare departments, faith-based groups, and self-help groups to achieve this target in this mission,” she said.
“This campaign aims to educate people on the importance of Moringa trees, both for soil regeneration and improving overall health,” Amri explains. “We hope to inspire every household in Nagaland to grow at least one Moringa tree.”
Climate Action 2025 embodies Amri’s vision for a greener Northeast India. She hopes to ignite a spark of environmental consciousness, inspiring communities to embrace sustainable practices and actively participate in creating a healthier planet.
A Regional and Global Impact
As part of the Moringa Mission in Southeast Asia, Amri recently traveled to Malaysia, where she connected with health writer Mohana Gill, author of “Moringalicious,” highlighting the growing international recognition of the Moringa tree’s value. “Mohana Gill is doing tremendous work to help us achieve our mission,” Amri said.
This visit was part of the ongoing effort to plant 10,000 Moringa trees across Southeast Asia, a project initiated in 2021 by the Centre for Peace Education Manipur (CFPEM) in partnership with GCPE.
“The GCPE recognizes the intrinsic link between peace education and environmental sustainability,” Amri emphasizes. “These two areas are inextricably connected, and both are crucial for building a better future.”
Despite the challenges, the Southeast Asia campaign has thrived, exceeding its initial goals. The partnership with GCPE, coordinated globally by Dr. Tony Jenkins, has provided invaluable support.
Amri said that the NBCC’s involvement in 2024 has been transformative. “Their commitment to planting 105,000 Moringa trees in Nagaland, coupled with the support of local churches, has significantly amplified the project’s impact,” she said. Amri recalls a pivotal moment in 2023 when she addressed a youth leaders’ retreat in Nagaland, where the proposal to plant Moringa trees in all NBCC-associated churches was met with enthusiastic support.
Amri’s dedication has also taken her to Sri Lanka, where she received a scholarship for training at the Moringa for Life program. This experience, the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, further equipped her with the knowledge and skills needed to advance her mission.
With the addition of new advisors, including Amit Barikeri and Mohana Gill, the project continues to grow. The drive to plant thousands of Moringa trees across Southeast Asia and beyond reflects a shared commitment to regenerating soils, promoting biodiversity, and building a more sustainable and peaceful world.
“This initiative has inspired a community-wide movement,” Amri concludes. “I hope it serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the power of collective action in creating a brighter future for all.”
Aien Amri’s work is a living testament to the power of purpose. Her dedication to the Moringa tree, and to the communities she serves, has blossomed into a movement that is transforming lives and landscapes. Her legacy is not just in the trees she plants, but in the inspiration she sows, reminding us all that we have the power to cultivate a brighter future.
