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

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
Tropical dry evergreen forest species and water-tolerant species were used in the water
catchment and waste land areas respectively. All resources – saplings, pitting material,
and protective gear – were provided by Greenhands. Saplings of avenue trees were planted
at the roadsides by the local community, with saplings, pitting material and protective
gear provided by Greenhands. (Refer ANNEXURE VI for the tree planting procedure
criteria and methodology following while pitting and planting). Speaking about
plantation on the roadside, A Murugesan, a Greenhands volunteer, who worked in Erode 12
based KGM Softwares Pvt. Ltd. said, “It is very difficult to find place to plant trees”.
POST-PLANTATION CARE
Post-plantation care for the saplings included watering, organic manuring, pruning,
replanting, and protecting the sapling from grazing animals. In water catchment areas
and wasteland areas, Greenhands engaged paid self-help groups to provide this postplantation
care. In other areas, like farmland, schools, residential areas etc. the sapling
planters were responsible for ensuring post-plantation care.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
“In the Indian culture there are temples for trees, people worship trees; it’s a very common practice.
It is not a question of a custom. It came from a certain experience and understanding. It is a
certain depth of experience and understanding — you understand that whatever nurtures your life
is worth worshipping.” 13 ~ Sadhguru
It was realized that the success of the project depended on strong partnerships. The
project focused on developing partnerships by energizing community, whether they were
farmers, school going children, businessmen, academicians, parents etc. Community
involvement thus became the essence of the project.
GreenHands volunteers visited villages and spoke to the farmers, assessing the interest
of the people there. The villagers were showed documentaries and discussions were
initiated among the villagers and with the villagers. When the volunteers felt that there
was sufficient commitment among the villagers who owns lands, they were initiated
into the next level – integrating trees along with the prevailing crops. At the district
level, a regional office was set up and this hub was used to share resources during the
project period. “The uniqueness of this project is that we are involving large number of
people, common people, in planting trees. The volunteers – they are all joining because
12 Headquarters of Erode district in the state of Tamilnadu, India.
13 http://www.organicgreenandnatural.com/2009/04/08/project-greenhands-%E2%80%93-compensating-theearth/
Annexures
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