In an era when deforestation and climate change threaten ecosystems worldwide, one man from Gujarat—a state on the west coast of India—is rewriting the narrative of environmental restoration.

Dr. Radhakrishnan Nair, fondly known as Nairji, has created 122 forests across India, transforming barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems. His most remarkable achievement, Smritivan (a memorial forest) in Gujarat—recognized as the world’s largest Miyawaki forest—stands as a testament to his vision. Spanning 470 acres and home to over 500,000 trees, this forest is not just a memorial but a beacon of ecological hope. Nair’s work demonstrates how one individual’s determination can combat global warming, restore biodiversity, and inspire communities to embrace a greener future.

From entrepreneur to green crusader

Born in Kasaragod, Kerala, R.K. Nair’s path to becoming India’s “Green Hero” was anything but conventional. After failing his 12th-grade exams, he took on a series of odd jobs, eventually rising to become a successful entrepreneur in the garment industry. But a pivotal moment came in 2011, in Umargam, Gujarat, when he witnessed the felling of 179 ancient trees for road construction. The cries of displaced birds and the destruction of their habitat struck a deep chord.

“I felt the birds were speaking to me,” Nair recalls. “That day, I vowed to create forests where no one would harm them.”

This epiphany led to the founding of Forest Creators with his friend Deepan Jain in 2014. Using corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, Nair began planting trees—starting with 1,500 saplings on a single acre. Today, he has planted over 3.2 million trees across 12 Indian states—from Gujarat to Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh. His approach blends the Japanese Miyawaki method, known for rapid and dense forest growth, with a localized adaptation he calls Bharatavanam, tailored to India’s diverse ecosystems.

Smritivan: A green miracle in the Desert

Nair’s crowning achievement is Smritivan, a sprawling forest in Bhuj, Gujarat, established in memory of the 13,805 victims of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. Originally conceived in 2004 but long stalled, the project gained new life when Nair took charge. Despite the 470-acre terrain being arid and hilly, he began planting in July 2021. “By August 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the memorial, the forest had reached an astonishing 16 feet in height, with 223,555 saplings planted in the first phase alone. Today, Smritivan houses over 525,000 trees, with plans to add 40,000 more,” Nair says, in an interview with EdPublica.

A report from the Gujarat Ecology Commission, accessed by EdPublica, highlights Smritivan’s ecological transformation. Now home to 117 tree species, the forest supports 79 bird species, 28 types of butterflies, 21 reptiles, nine mammals, and two species of fish. The dense canopy and mulched soil prevent erosion, retain moisture, and enrich the land with organic matter. “With an 86% tree survival rate, species like neem and casuarina are flourishing,” according to the report published in 2023.

The forest has also led to localized temperature reductions, while its 50 check dams help replenish groundwater. A one-megawatt solar plant further bolsters its sustainability, making Smriti Van a global model of eco-restoration.

A report from the Gujarat Ecology Commission, accessed by EdPublica, highlights Smritivan’s ecological transformation. Now home to 117 tree species, the forest supports 79 bird species, 28 types of butterflies, 21 reptiles, nine mammals, and two species of fish

Industrialist Anand Mahindra recently shared a viral post on X, praising Nair for building the world’s largest Miyawaki forest.

Ecological impact: Restoring balance

Nair’s forests are more than green patches—they are ecological engines. “In Chhattisgarh, the coastal forest of 103,000 trees raised groundwater levels dramatically—from 160 feet to just 12 feet—reviving wells and sustaining communities,” Nair claims. Across India, his forests have restored biodiversity, attracted wildlife, and helped rebuild natural food chains.

The Gujarat Ecology Commission underscores Smriti Van’s role in carbon sequestration, a vital tool against climate change. Experts recommend ongoing assessments to quantify its carbon storage potential, which could significantly offset emissions.

Nair’s method ensures long-term ecological success. He doesn’t merely plant trees—he nurtures ecosystems. By selecting native species suited to local conditions, his forests are resilient and sustainable. They grow 10 times faster than natural forests, mimicking 150-year-old ecosystems in just 10–15 years. Dense planting (3–4 saplings per square meter) encourages vertical growth, mimicking natural competition for sunlight.

A Vision for the future

Nair’s ambition is bold: planting one billion trees by 2030. Backed by governments, corporations, and citizens, Forest Creators is scaling up to meet this audacious goal. His work has earned international acclaim, including an invitation to represent India at a NASA conference and a UNESCO Prix Versailles award for Smritivan.

Yet, Nair remains grounded—dressed in his signature white mundu, shirt, and cap—a nod to his Malayali roots and the spirit of India’s farmers.

Beyond ecology, Nair’s forests are also community spaces. Smriti Van has become a popular destination for its tranquil trails and vibrant festivals, with 94% of surveyed visitors citing its fresh air and peacefulness. Future plans include guided tours and educational programs to engage youth in environmental stewardship.

A Global inspiration

R.K. Nair’s story is a clarion call for individual action in the face of global crises. His 122 forests—especially the monumental Smritivan—showcase what one person’s vision and persistence can achieve. By restoring biodiversity, cooling urban climates, and sequestering carbon, Nair’s work supports global efforts to fight climate change. As he marches toward his billion-tree goal, he reminds us that a single seed, planted with purpose, can grow into a forest of change.

The U.S. retail sector, once dominated by small, independent merchants, has transformed over the past century into a landscape controlled by retail giants. In the late 19th century, most U.S. retail was local. However, this shifted with the rise of catalog retailers like Sears and Roebuck, which saw rapid growth, followed by Montgomery Ward’s expansion. By the 1930s, chain stores began to proliferate, with the Atlantic and Pacific (A&P) supermarkets leading the pack with over 15,000 locations.

Fast-forward to today, and the dominance of retailers like Walmart, Amazon, and Target is undeniable. Currently, 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart, and five of the top 10 U.S. employers—Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, Kroger, and Target—are retailers. In addition, logistics giants UPS and FedEx play a crucial role in supporting the retail economy.

This prevalence of massive retail chains is largely unique to the U.S., where domestic consumption is a driving force behind economic growth. Additionally, the U.S. has five times as much retail space per capita as Japan and the U.K., and 10 times as much as Germany. Unlike in Europe, the U.S. has few regulations limiting shopping hours.

How did we arrive at this point? While major chains like Walmart and Amazon are known for their business prowess, the full story involves over a century of political and legal debates that shaped the landscape of U.S. retailing. MIT political scientist Kathleen Thelen, in her new book Attention, Shoppers! American Retail Capitalism and the Origins of the Amazon Economy, dives into the role of political and legal forces in the rise of large, low-cost retailers.

“The markets that we take as given, that we think of as the natural outcome of supply and demand, are heavily shaped by policy and by politics,” Thelen explains.

Thelen’s book offers a unique perspective, drawing comparisons with European economies and taking a historical approach to the growth of chain retailing. For instance, she highlights how alternative commercial arrangements, like cooperatives, were stifled by U.S. antitrust laws, which favored big corporations while suppressing smaller competitors. This legal framework gave a significant advantage to large retailers, including Sears, which relied on the U.S. Postal Service’s money order system to reach customers who lacked bank accounts.

Smaller retailers resisted the expansion of large chains, particularly during the Great Depression, but big retailers found ways around regulatory constraints. “Antitrust laws in the United States were very forbearing toward big multidivisional corporations and very punitive toward alternative types of arrangements like cooperatives, so big retailers got a real boost in that period,” Thelen says. Over time, antitrust law increasingly prioritized consumer prices, further benefiting low-cost retailers.

As Thelen argues, prioritizing price reduction often leads to lower wages for workers, with large retailers driving down wages both directly and through pressure on suppliers. “If you prioritize prices, one of the main ways to reduce prices is to reduce labor costs,” she says, noting that low-cost discounters are often low-wage employers.

In her analysis, Thelen suggests that the American retail system’s focus on low prices, low wages, and high consumer convenience has led to a “deep equilibrium,” where low-wage workers rely on these retail giants to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the speed of modern delivery systems has become a normal part of American shopping culture.

“The triumph of these types of retailers was not inevitable,” Thelen reflects. “It was a function of politics and political choice.” With ongoing debates about labor law reforms and antitrust enforcement, the current retail equilibrium may persist for the foreseeable future, unless significant changes are made to the system.

Through Attention, Shoppers!, Thelen offers readers a comprehensive look at the economic forces that have shaped the retail sector, helping explain the giant retail landscape many Americans take for granted today.

In a groundbreaking move, Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), a subsidiary of India’s Reliance Industries Limited, has announced a strategic partnership with SpaceX to offer Starlink’s high-speed broadband internet services across India. This collaboration comes as part of Jio’s ambition to expand its broadband offerings and transform connectivity in the country, especially in rural and remote areas.

The partnership between Jio, led by India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, and SpaceX, led by US billionaire Elon Musk, marks a significant step in bridging the digital divide and accelerating India’s digital ecosystem. By bringing Starlink’s advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet into its fold, Jio is positioning itself at the forefront of India’s broadband evolution, promising to provide affordable and high-speed internet to even the most remote corners of the country.

Through this agreement, Jio will integrate Starlink’s services into its vast network, offering them to both consumers and businesses across India. Customers will be able to access Starlink’s solutions through Jio’s retail outlets as well as its online platforms, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for users nationwide.

“Ensuring that every Indian, no matter where they live, has access to affordable and high-speed broadband remains Jio’s top priority,” said Mathew Oommen, Group CEO of Reliance Jio, in a statement. “Our collaboration with SpaceX to bring Starlink to India strengthens our commitment and marks a transformative step toward seamless broadband connectivity for all. By integrating Starlink into Jio’s broadband ecosystem, we are expanding our reach and enhancing the reliability and accessibility of high-speed broadband in this AI-driven era, empowering communities and businesses across the country.”

Jio’s extensive infrastructure, paired with Starlink’s pioneering satellite technology, will address the connectivity challenges in India’s most underserved areas, ensuring the benefits of the digital age are accessible to all. The collaboration will also allow Jio to complement its existing broadband services, such as JioAirFiber and JioFiber, by providing high-speed internet in hard-to-reach locations more quickly and affordably.

Additionally, Jio and SpaceX are exploring further areas of collaboration, looking for innovative ways to strengthen India’s digital landscape. Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, commented, “We applaud Jio’s commitment to advancing India’s connectivity. We are looking forward to working with Jio and receiving authorization from the Government of India to provide more people, organizations, and businesses with access to Starlink’s high-speed internet services.”

In an interesting twist, Jio’s partnership with Starlink comes just one day after India’s second-largest telecom operator, Airtel, also signed a deal with Starlink. This move indicates that India’s telecom sector is witnessing a significant transformation as leading operators race to offer cutting-edge broadband services through satellite technology, further boosting the country’s digital revolution.

As part of its long-term strategy, Jio continues to innovate and diversify its offerings, positioning itself as a leader in the broadband space with cutting-edge solutions. With this collaboration, Jio not only aims to enhance the reach of its broadband services but also solidifies its role in advancing India’s goal of becoming a global leader in the digital economy.

The union of Jio’s expansive infrastructure and SpaceX’s space-based internet promises to accelerate India’s journey toward becoming a digitally connected nation, ensuring that no part of the country is left behind in the fast-evolving digital landscape.