On a scorching afternoon in Kolkata, amidst the cacophony of city life, Jasmit walks through a narrow lane with a small paper bag in his hand. Inside it are discarded mango seeds, known as gutlis, collected from neighbours, schools, and office colleagues.
To anyone else, they might seem trivial, solely the remnants of a sweet summer fruit, easily discarded without a second thought. But for him, each seed represents a potential tree, a promise of fruit, and a thread in a much larger mosaic.
It is a vision to reconnect India’s urban and rural communities, rejuvenate biodiversity, and provide economic sustenance to farmers. Every mango seed carries a promise, and this promise has grown into the movement led by the ‘Gutli Man of India’.
“I am neither a farmer nor a botanist. I am just someone who loves mangoes and believes that even a single seed can change the world,” he says. His love for the fruit is more than culinary; it is the seed of a mission that has now inspired thousands across India to become part of a larger environmental cause. “Every gutli you see as waste can turn into a tree that gives food and shelter and supports life,” he adds.
The beginning of a seeded revolution
Jasmit Singh Arora (53) hails from Kolkata and describes himself as a social entrepreneur. His life is guided by a purpose beyond profit, devoted to the environment, the farmers, and the education of future generations.
Jasmit Singh Arora hails from Kolkata and describes himself as a social entrepreneur.
“When I saw mango trees being cut down, and I realised how paddy farming drained water and poisoned the soil, I felt compelled to act. These are not just ecological problems; they are human problems, affecting our children, our farmers, and our future,” he tells The Better India.
The Gutli Mission, as it is known today, began humbly in 2017-2018. His initial aim was to connect school children with the importance of the environment and the role farmers play in sustaining life. He saw a world where children believed their parents and teachers were the only pillars of life, while farmers, who grew the very food they consumed, were often overlooked.
“The environment was crying for help. Water and air quality were deteriorating, and farmers were earning as little as Rs 2,000 for paddy cultivation, which also harmed the soil,” he recalls. Mango trees became a focal point for him because of their ecological importance. Birds nested in them, insects teemed, and their wood stored significant amounts of carbon. However, for decades, mango orchards had been consistently disappearing.
When one man’s idea became a nation’s movement
It was during 2021-2022 that he realised his initiative could grow from a personal effort into a nationwide movement. “Everybody wants purity in air, water, and food, but people do not always have a way to participate,” he says. The Gutli Mission gave them that window, an effortless action they could take, connected to a purpose that mattered.
The movement took flight when he released a heartfelt video in May 2023.
“I explained the problems farmers face, the environmental crises, and asked for just one gutli. If someone asked, ‘What will one gutli do?’ I showed them the saplings it could grow into. If someone asked, ‘What will one forward of that video do?’ I showed them the growing number of people joining in and the seeds arriving from across the country,” he recounts.
The response was overwhelming. Citizens, students, and even the armed forces joined in, turning a simple seed collection into a nationwide environmental initiative.
How citizens can join: The simple gutli steps
Participation in the Gutli Mission is surprisingly straightforward. Jasmit stresses the importance of intention:
“From here on, I will not throw seeds. I will clean the pulp, dry it in the shade, pack it, and send it. That is the first step,” he says.
The Gutli Mission, as it is known today, began humbly in 2017-2018.
He outlines the process clearly:
- Consume the mango: Enjoy the fruit, but save the seed.
- Clean the seed: Remove all pulp to prevent fungus and rot.
- Dry the seed: Place it under shade or sun until completely dry.
- Pack properly: Use paper or cardboard containers to store seeds. Avoid plastic bags that trap moisture.
- Send the gutlis: Citizens can post their seeds or contact him directly at 9831459390 for guidance. Communities, schools, corporations, and armed forces can create collection boxes or social club branches to gather seeds collectively.
“This simple act connects urban citizens with farmers and creates a measurable impact on the environment,” the gutli man explains.
From a gutli to a tree: The careful nurturing process
Once Jasmit receives the seeds, the work has just begun. “If someone donates 1,000 seeds, only 10 percent will germinate due to genetic factors. Artificially ripened carbide mangoes further reduce germination rates, so I request people not to use such seeds,” he explains. After germination, the saplings are carefully nurtured for six months before undergoing a grafting procedure.
“Grafting is key to making the trees viable for farmers. It reduces the gestation period from 15 years to just three, making farmers more willing to plant these trees. We also make sure that the grafts are compatible with local breeds to guarantee fruiting,” he adds.
Once the saplings are ready and healthy, he hands them over to farmers across West Bengal and Jharkhand, along with guidance on organic fertilisers, vermicomposting, and proper tree care. “I do not keep control after giving the saplings because the farmer should feel full ownership of the tree. They grow them independently. It is their tree and their labour,” he emphasises.
The gutli missteps you can dodge
He has seen many well-meaning participants make errors that can kill seeds. Common mistakes include leaving pulp on the seeds, mixing wet and dry seeds, and storing them in airtight plastic bags. “These create fungus, suffocate the seed, and prevent germination. Clean the pulp, dry the seed completely, and store it in paper-based containers. That is the right way,” he advises.
Grafting is key to making the trees viable for farmers.
He also warns against artificially ripened mangoes. “Carbide mangoes ripen in a day or two, but they compromise seed health. Always use ripened fruit naturally,” he adds.
Engaging communities: A movement beyond individuals
Individuals can multiply the mission by scaling it to communities. Housing societies can create collection bins, schools can make it part of environmental projects, corporations can include it in CSR activities, and armed forces can participate as units. He shares inspiring examples, “In Gujarat, a single woman collected 8,000 seeds in 10 days by engaging her neighbourhood. Even the courier staff were excited seeing so many seeds being sent to Kolkata.”
The mission also encourages citizens to document their efforts through videos and social media stories. “When you show others how you dry and collect the seeds, it inspires them. One person’s effort encourages many more to join in,” he says.
Why the gutli model works
Unlike traditional tree-planting drives, his approach connects urban citizens directly to the life of a tree. “In regular drives, 95 percent of trees die because no one takes care of them. Here, the seeds germinate in a controlled environment and are handed to farmers who nurture them. It is seed-to-sapling-to-farmer. The survival rate is higher, and the impact is real,” he explains.
Beyond ecology, the mission promotes urban-rural connection, raises awareness about farmers’ struggles, and motivates communities to participate actively in environmental solutions.
The results speak volumes. Since 2022, Jasmit has collected over 21 lakh mango seeds and distributed more than 8 lakh grafted fruit trees to farmers, directly and indirectly benefiting over 5,000 families. The mission currently spans regions of Sundarbans, Bankura, Purulia, and parts of Jharkhand, but the vision is national. “If every Indian sends one seed, the 20 crore-tree target can be achieved in one season,” he says confidently.
The Gutli Mission also promotes knowledge sharing. Farmers receive training in organic farming techniques, ensuring that the saplings not only survive but thrive and yield high-quality fruit.
Citizens are the backbone
Jasmit emphasises that citizen participation is the backbone of the mission. “If people stop sending seeds, there will be fewer saplings, fewer trees, and less environmental purification. Awareness will fade, and citizens are the lifeblood of this movement,” he says.
He calls on everyone, from students and social clubs to corporations and the armed forces, to take a small step, “Just one gutli, one seed, and one action is effective.”
He invites citizens to become Green Sahyogis by taking a ‘green shapat’, a pledge to nurture the environment through the Gutli Mission. Saplings are distributed under the initiative ‘Tree Ka Langar’, confirming both urban and rural participation.
Once the saplings are ready and healthy, he hands them over to farmers across West Bengal and Jharkhand.
To contribute, contact Jasmit at 98314-59390 or follow the mission on Instagram at mango.gutliman. Your small action can help plant thousands of trees, support farmers, and restore biodiversity across India.
From the simple act of saving a discarded mango seed, a movement has grown that shows the power of collective action. “If you love mangoes, love the environment, or love your country, this is a way to make a real difference. One seed can change everything,” he says, as he looks at the saplings that promise a greener, more sustainable future.
All pictures courtesy Jasmit Singh Arora.
