Afforestation Project - Green Gold

Afforestation of the bare hills / areas in Maharashtra

As an avid trekker and lover of the greens, I have been inspired by many organizations that do their bit to make our areas greener. Incessant cutting of trees and none being planted in their replacement has made most of the hills and areas around quite barren and dry which snowballs to lesser precipitation and retention of rain in the forests and faster flow off of the into the drains rather than the catchment areas and lakes. This has lead to raised temperatures and also a shortfall of drinking water.

Being involved in trekking and outdoor activities for the past 15 years and seeing our green cover dwindle alarmingly has not only triggered an alarm bell but also triggered a thought process as to what we all can do to help make the planet greener. With various NGOs coming up and spreading the awareness of greening the environment, it becomes imperative that we also play a small but very important part in this endeavor.

As a part of the project “Green Gold” that I have initiated as a part of the Self Expression and Leadership Programme of Landmark Education Curriculum, I have started collecting data on the areas, which need to be forested, and the areas, which are being designated as areas to be forested by the forest department. This not only gives us an opportunity to help in the process but also monitor the progress and extent to which this work is done. We can, as the public, also make sure that foreign species like the Eucalyptus and Australian Acacia which leave the ground acidic and inhibits growth of the undergrowth are not planted and local hardy trees and shrubs form the major portion of the plantation.

Another route that could be taken in this direction is to ask all our friends and relatives to collect all the waste seeds, viz. mango, chickoo, jackfruit, etc which are usually thrown into the dustbin, after they are eaten at home, to be washed a bit and dried in the sun. These seeds can then be collected and planted when a large group goes on a trek just on the onset of monsoon or during the monsoons. Even if a part of the seeds take root, it would not only provide green cover but also shelter and food for the various birds and animals that feed on the flowers, nectar and fruits of the trees. Saplings of hardy species like Neem, Teak, Shisham, Ashoka, Pongamia, Arjuna, Kadamb, etc can be bought from local nurseries and planted. This not only helps the plants take root faster but also speeds up the greening process. If small personal plots of friends are available, trees like Teak and Sal which are very commercially viable can also be planted along with various medicinal trees and shrubs like Hirda, Beheda, Dalchini, etc.

I am putting down a case for action in this regard, which is categorized into 3 parts, viz., what is the situation now, what would be the future if things continue as they are and what could be the future if this action is taken up and implemented

Current situation :

• Barren slopes
• No tree cover, thus leading to secondary scrub forest / plants
• No water percolation into the ground thus reducing the water table
• No barrier to the water flowing into the lower slopes, thus leeching and carrying away top soil, leaving the slopes rocky and without a top soil
• No shade for travelers / trekkers
• Rise in the temperature of that region due to less green cover
• No fodder / food for animals, birds and insects, thus leading them to migrate far and wide for food
• No fuel wood for local villagers who have to walk far and wide to collect fuel wood or chop down existing trees in that area, thus leading to more destruction
• Scarcity of water as the lakes and rivers dry up faster due to lower water table
• Crops needing more water, which used to be grown, are no more feasible due to lack of irrigation / availability of water

Predictable future – if the situation continues to be the same :

• Degradation / deforestation of the existing green cover
• Top soil being washed off from the rest of the areas leaving the areas barren and rocky
• Decrease in water table further leading to scarcity of even the existing water
• Bore wells being used more extensively leading to even ground water becoming unavailable after a few years
• Migration of the local population due to lack of support / water / foodgrains / fuel wood / fodder for their cattle

The way the future could be if this new possibility is created :

• Afforestation / greening of the slopes with hardy trees and plants
• Green cover leading to water retention and stoppage of soil erosion
• Rivers and lakes being fed by the soaked up water of the trees roots thus leading to more water available for the locals
• Fuel and fodder for the local villagers and the cattle
• Fruiting / flowering trees attracting more birds and insects to the area, providing them not only shelter but also food
• Medicinal plants and trees providing income to the locals who could take care of the trees and protect them
• Firewood from dead trees / wood to build houses / furniture in the future
• Income generation from the afforestation programme for the local villagers by promotion activities like bee keeping, selling forest products, lac, medicinal plant products, etc thus helping them to flourish in their own locality

I am, through this blog, inviting all like minded individuals, birders, trekkers, NGOs to form a community to take up this project along with me and help in any way possible to make this project work not only this year, but also year after year. We can all contribute in our own small way to make this world a better and greener place