The environment includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil that grows our food and the many living creatures with which we share the earth. Its protection is a duty that belongs to everyone, since the damage done by one generation is inherited by the next. Rapid growth of cities, industries and vehicles has increased pollution, reduced forests and placed heavy pressure on natural resources, making the need for care more urgent than ever. Polluted air causes breathing difficulties, particularly in children and the elderly. Contaminated rivers and ponds harm fish, spread disease and make drinking water costly to purify. Waste thrown carelessly on land blocks drains and harms animals. Remedies exist, and many are simple. Industries can install equipment to treat smoke and effluent before releasing them. Citizens can use public transport, share vehicles, save electricity and avoid single use plastic. Households can separate wet waste from dry waste and compost kitchen scraps. Among all measures, planting and protecting trees offers some of the greatest benefits. Trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, cool the surroundings with their shade, and reduce dust and noise. Their roots hold the soil and prevent erosion on slopes and riverbanks, while their leaves enrich the ground as they decay. Forests and orchards provide homes for birds and insects, fruit and fuel for people, and raw material for many crafts. A tree planting drive succeeds only when planting is followed by care. Saplings must be chosen to suit the local climate, set in properly prepared pits, watered during dry months and fenced against cattle until they are strong. Native species are usually best, because they support local wildlife and require less attention. Schools, village councils, railway stations and offices can adopt plots and keep records of the trees they have planted. Along railway lines and highways, rows of trees can provide shade and protect embankments. Laws against illegal felling and pollution must be enforced fairly. Above all, a change in attitude is needed. If each person plants a tree and looks after it, the gift to the future will be a greener, cleaner and healthier land. Indian Railways can contribute to this effort in many ways. Planting trees along tracks and around stations prevents soil erosion, reduces dust and provides shade for passengers and staff. Electrification of routes, the use of solar panels on station roofs and the careful recycling of water in coach washing reduce pollution and save energy. Stations can also encourage travellers to avoid plastic and to use the dustbins provided. Schools, local bodies and volunteers who adopt a stretch of land and care for its saplings show that small steps, repeated faithfully, can change the landscape.