Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
Greenhands. If soil has to be protected, it has to be done at the farmers’ land. That was the
beginning of Agroforestry model. Our belief is that trees can be a solution to everything.
It gives back to man the connection to life that that he lost. This project is an attempt
to make that connection.” The agro-forestry model was started in 2007. “Farming is
like gambling now. Farmers are concerned and insecure. Initially they had concerns
that planting trees at their fields would reduce them of their income generation and the
productivity of the land will go off, though the reality is otherwise. In order to alleviate
farmers out of their concerns, we ask the farmers to grow the trees in the boundary. As
the trees mature – it can be a fruit tree or a timber tree – it becomes like insurance. This
campaign started working. This formed the basis of our agro-forestry model. We are now
very clear on where trees should be planted and not planted,” mentioned Anand. Till 2012,
nearly 2 million saplings have been planted through this agro-forestry model.
From 2009 onwards, Greenhands has been conducting systematic training programme
on agro farming for farmers. This training, which will have modules on organic/ natural
farming, will be delivered by experts to volunteers, who will then deliver the same to the
farmers.
Baseline surveys and need assessment surveys were done before plantation was done.
Greenhands distributed the saplings to those with commitment towards the project.
Presence of local dignitaries and popular personalities attracted attention to the project
and provided awareness to people about the objective of Greenhands. These meetings were
also used to encourage people to be part of this project. Planting zones were designated in
areas of local support. In recent times, majority of the planting was done in these zones.
The opportunity to plant the saplings were given to the volunteers of the rural community.
This helped Greenhands to generate enough support and commitment in those areas.
Farmlands, Schools, Residential areas, Water catchment and waste land areas and roadside
were chosen as areas of focus. Farmlands were usually protected from invasion from
cattle. Saplings of fruit trees, fodder trees, fuel trees and timber were planted on the
farmlands. Preference was given to plant the saplings on the farmlands of those farmers
who showed commitment, for e.g. by supplying compost, sand and vermin-compost.
Tropical dry evergreen plants, which were native to TN and also drought resistant, were
used in school grounds. “Live seed banks” 11 were also created in these schools. This helped
in the conservation of a number of tree species. School children gave care to these plants.
In addition to saplings, pitting materials were also supplied to schools by Greenhands.
For residential areas, only saplings were provided by Greenhands. Pitting and planting
were done by residents of these locations. It was the onus of the residents, who planted
fruit and medicinal saplings, to prepare protective gear for the saplings planted. To plant
saplings in water catchment and waste land areas, Greenhands used paid self-help groups.
11 Live seed banks are growing trees. They act as sources of seeds during seed collection.
694 Annexures