Path-breaking Environmental Initiatives Launched by Live to Love

NEW DELHI, September 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

- Effort to Plant a Million Trees in the Himalayas
- Pad Yatra to Promote Environment Preservation in Collaboration With Sri Lankan Government

Live to Love today announced two major initiatives for the promotion of environment preservation. It is spearheading a massive tree planting drive in Ladakh, India, on 29th October 2012. Live to Love intends 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 of 55,000 trees for "Most Trees Planted Simultaneously" set in October 2010. Live to Love International is a network of international non-profit organizations founded by His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual head of Drukpa Buddhists.

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

His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, speaking on the latest developments said, "Arjun Pandey has been selflessly contributing to the efforts of Live to Love for the past two years. His efforts towards the organisation and environment sustainability have been unparalleled, and we are pleased to officially appoint Arjun Pandey as the head of Live to Love India. He will provide further impetus to the organisation's activities in his new role."

Arjun Pandey, Live to Love India's newly appointed chairperson said, "We are embarking on a major tree plantation drive in the Himalayan region, and we aim to break our own record. Environmental protection is a major focus for us. We hope to encourage people to protect environmental assets that will benefit the world at large."

Many individuals and corporates are whole-heartedly participating in the awareness campaign. Live to Love called out for donations for the tree plantation initiative through its various chapters across the world. Donations are possible through www.Live2Love.org.

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

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 spans 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 is 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 support lasting solutions to modern problems. The organization focuses on 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 has 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

Primary Media Contact: Shreeya Roy, communications@drukpa.com, 91-9350335761