Live to Love Embarks on Historic Environmental Initiatives

NEW DELHI, September 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A Continuing Effort for Million Tree Planting initiative in the Himalayas

Sri Lanka and Live to Love Collaborate on Pad Yatra to Promote Preservation

Live to Love International, a network of international non-profit organizations founded by His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual head of Drukpa Buddhists, announced two major initiatives for the promotion of environment preservation. Live to Love International is spearheading a massive tree planting drive in Ladakh, India on 29th October 2012. They intend to plant 100,000 trees within half an hour, as a continuing effort for the "Million Tree Planting" initiative  in one of the world's harshest terrains, the Himalayas.  Upon completion, they will shatter their own Guinness World Record for "Most Trees Planted Simultaneously" totalling 55,000 trees set in October 2010.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120917/562554 )

In connection with this announcement, His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa said, "We are pleased to officially announce the appointment of Arjun Pandey as the head of Live to Love India. Arjun has been selflessly contributing to the efforts of the organisation for the past two years. His efforts towards the organisation and environment sustainability have been unparalleled, and he will provide further impetus to the organisation's activities in his new role."

Arjun Pandey, the newly appointed chairperson of Live to Love India said, "Environmental Protection is a major focus for us. Live to Love is embarking on a major tree plantation drive and we aim to break our own record. We hope to encourage people to protect environmental assets that will benefit the world at large." Live to Love called out for donations through its various chapters across the world, and many individuals and corporates are whole-heartedly participating and committing in the awareness campaign. Donations are possible through the following web link: http://www.Live2Love.org

Arjun further added, "Live to Love as an organisation enjoys global recognition and patronage. Aamir Khan (Bollywood's Superstar) and Michelle Yeoh (leading Hollywood Actress) are the Global Ambassadors for this humanitarian organisation that focuses on environment sustainability, heritage preservation relief aid, medical services and education."

Additionally, Live to Love is collaborating with the Sri Lankan government on the Eco Pad Yatra in Sri Lanka in December 2012. This walking pilgrimage spanning 30 days and over 500 kilometres. His Holiness will lead a team of more than 2000 monks, nuns and volunteers from around the globe on this 'nature journey' Participants in this walking pilgrimage will visit various holy sites in Sri Lanka, blessed by the holy saints. Volunteers from across the world are registering for this journey. Registration and information for this 6^th walking pilgrimage are available online at http://walking.drukpa.com

Live to Love has been at the forefront of various initiatives

• Ashoka Stupa restoration in Nangchen, China in July 2012
• Ladakh International Film Festival in June 2012
• 5 yearly Pad Yatras since 2007 to promote environment awareness
• The first Guinness World Record for "Most Trees Planted Simultaneously"
• Relief mission to Ladakh post flash floods in August 2010
• Relief mission to China's Yushu region post earthquake in April 2010

About Live to Love

Live to Love is an international network of non-profit organizations. founded by His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa to create and to support lasting solutions to modern problems.  The organization focuses of education, environmental protection, medical services and cultural preservation.  

Live to Love's impacts the following regions: Bhutan, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Vietnam, UK, and USA.

About Arjun Pandey

Arjun Pandey is a change driver. He is a young and talented environmentalist and documentary filmmaker with 15+ years of experience. He has produced and directed several documentary films on wildlife, environment and social issues and won various national and international awards for his work. His focused interest in social developmental project has ensured that he plays an active role in empowering change through active use of both visual and non-visual mediums, bringing them to the people in a very simple, thought-provoking and action oriented manner.

He has been part of 7 successful campaigns to bring about proactive change - 5 campaigns have been on environment and wildlife and 2 on health. He has undertaken activities for leading global organisations like World Bank, World Health Organisation, etc along with numerous state and central government organisations

He has numerous national and international Awards to his credit, including

• United Kingdom Environment Film Fellowship, winner 2009
• Creative Future India - declared one of India's 20 Creative Future from over 1000 candidates, in a program run by the British Council and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B)
• National Award 2005 for the timeless traveller

For further information please contact:
Shreeya Roy, Live to Love @ +91-9350335761
Email: communications@drukpa.com