The tree plantation program on Sunday 22^nd July 2002 went off very well with lot of enthusiasm and joy. Not only the Rotarians but also their wives were seen planting saplings at the ESI campus.

It was a bright Sunday morning with tender drops of water making it the perfect time for tree plantation programme on the 18^th August 2002 at the factory premises of Salasar Dyeing at Palsana.

It was a good idea of having the tree plantation programme at an industrial site, where the necessity of not only ourselves undertaking plantation but also educating the locals and the workmen – the benefits of such activities. Because they are the real benefactors and an appraisal of this fact will motivate them to take care of the plants and carry on the activity themselves and mission will be a success.The group of Riversider family struggling to keep up their time commitment were all geared up after a medium range drive away from Surat city. Within no time of reaching the site after a testing journey through muddy waters, the annets who were actively taking part planted most of the saplings.

It was a well attended meet in spite of the torrential rains on Sunday 27th July 2003. The first project of the year was enthusiastically attended by many Rotarians.

Rtn. Sanjay Pandya brought the plants and transported them to the school. President Rtn. Dr. Ajay Bharadwaj managed to procure some cement poles at very low rates and our new Rtn. Rajat Vij provided the barbed wire free of cost.

Newly inducted Rtn. Ketan Shroff had sent his men and constructed wall to protect the planted saplings. In all about 60 saplings were planted by 10 Rotarians and Ann Rashika & Ann Rashi Patel in spite of heavy rain, mud and water logged compound of the school.

There were around 16 school children of economically backward parents each of who were presented a packet consisting of 10 notebooks and 1 compass box.

The notebooks were sponsored by Rtn. Sanjay and the compass box and stationery by Rtn. Siddharth. Rtn. Bankim Vashi had brought some clothes which were distributed amongst the children.

In the end, everyone including the children had snacks and cold drinks which was very thoughtfully brought by Rtn. Divyang.

On the morning of Sunday the 27th July 2008, everyone gathered at the plot opposite the Gate No. 1 of VNSGU for a noble cause. The event started by honouring our guests: The Vice Chancellor of VNSGU – Mr. B.A.Prajapati and Deputy Commissioner of SMC - Mr. Mahendrasingh. They both planted the first saplings to motivate everybody. All the Riversiders alongwith the new members, Anns & Annets also took pride in planting small saplings of sizeable pure Neem in the pre-marked spots.

President Ravi has given a contract to plant and maintain a total of 2000 saplings in a time span of 2 years. The inbound IYE students Natsumi Matsuda (Japan) and Eirica Seifert (USA) were also present. Moreover a crew of Big 92.7 FM with R.J. Hemant was witness to the whole project. R.J. Hemant interviewed Shri Prajapati, Shri Mahendrasingh & President Rtn Ravi Shah. He also took on record the feelings of both the IYE students. These audio links were aired on the same afternoon on the radio. Thus the project was publicized in a BIG way.

The event was made more enjoyable by keeping a very delicious breakfast of Bhajiya & tea. The Rain Gods also seemed pleased with the initiative of RSR as it started raining soon after the plantation.

The forest officer N.M.Mistry of Surat Range provided all kinds of saplings including tall & short trees, self-growing and flowering plants. President Amit took the privilege of planting the first sapling and soon all joined the cause including in-charge principal Mr. Ramesh Patel.