Shyam Sunder Paliwal is a renowned social activist from Piplantri village in Rajsamand district, Rajasthan. In 2007, following the tragic loss of his 17-year-old daughter, Kiran, to dehydration, Paliwal initiated a transformative practice: planting 111 trees for every girl child born in the village.
The tradition also includes a financial component: a fixed deposit of ₹31,000 is created for each girl child, ensuring her future financial security. Parents are required to sign an affidavit committing to educate their daughter and delay her marriage until she reaches the legal age. For his exceptional contributions to social work, Paliwal was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2021. His efforts have transformed Piplantri into a model of eco-feminism, where environmental sustainability and gender equality are intertwined, creating a legacy that continues to inspire communities worldwide.