Being familiar with the environmental situation in Vrindavan, Ranchor Prime took part in "a major effort" to reforest the area of Vrindavan. He conceived a plan with Sevak Sharan, a longtime resident of the area, to plant trees along the eleven-kilometer parikrama path that encircles the holy town. The importance of the parikrama path is indicated by the fact that it is traveled by over two million pilgrims per year. In succeeding months, ISKCON donated the use of one and a half acres beside the pilgrimage path for a nursery to plant and raise 10,000 trees of local origin. The project was formally initiated on 21 November 1991, the festival day of Vrinda Devi, the goddess representing the local flora and regarded as a queen of Vrindavan. All present at the ceremony took the following pledge: