For decades now many trees have been brought down by people to build streets, houses, manufacturing plants and so on. Therefore multiple tree-planting projects are critical. These tree planting projects shall continue to replenish biodiversity across the country and the globe. Indeed tree plantation is one of the best activities for making the planet greener, livelier and healthier.
Simply stated, tree plantation alludes to planting trees at a spot. Tree plantation has many advantages for Mother Earth and human wellbeing. After all we inhale oxygen to remain alive and trees are the main characteristic source of oxygen. Aside from giving oxygen, trees additionally work as common safeguards of noise pollution. Areas having a thick canopy of trees are seen to be less loud and generally have cleaner air than the zones without trees.
Also tree plantation invariably causes vegetation to develop. Birds make their homes in the trees, subsequently adding to the beauty of nature. Birds also scatter seeds and pollen on the ground, resulting in the development of different plants. So, tree plantation expands the bio-diversity of a specific region. Trees are a source of shelter and nourishment for many species, reptiles and birds. Trees also cause rain and prevent floods.
Today, many people understand the advantage of tree plantation. Many individuals are taking up tree plantation as their hobby. People are planting trees in their neighborhood and encouraging others to do so too. There are infact community drives to plant trees. For instance students are planting trees with the assistance of teachers and school authorities.
In consonance with this trend, Van Mahotsav an annual week-long tree planting festival was observed at the beginning of this month across the country.
In the words of Bikrant Tiwary, CEO of Grow-Trees.com, "This Van Mahotsav, we renewed our commitment to create a greener India and have initiated tree plantation drives in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. As always, our plantation drives shall focus on indigenous tree species and encourage and support the integration of the local communities into the afforestation process."
'Trees for Tigers' is an ongoing initiative of this organisation and incidentally on the last World Environment Day, it had planted around 30,000 trees in the periphery of Pench Tiger Reserve, in Ramtek, Maharashtra to expand and repair the Kanha-Pench corridor. Local species like amla, lemon, pomegranate, shisham and jamun are currently being planted on the community lands of Dulara village. 'Trees for Water' is another important project of this organisation and Bikrant informs that trees have been planted across eight villages in the Bhilwara District in Rajasthan to alleviate acute water scarcity. He says, "Drought-tolerant local species like neem, shisham, babool, imli and ber have been planted to secure the moisture of the atmosphere in their deep tap roots. These trees will also help to maintain the groundwater table which can be further used for agricultural purposes, thereby tackling the consequences of drought."
For the last few years, floods in the Narmada River have destroyed crops and created untold misery and via the 'Trees for Rivers' project, plantation efforts are underway to repair the ecological damage. Grow-Trees.com has initiated a massive plantation effort adjacent to the banks of Narmada and its tributaries in the Harda District of Madhya Pradesh. "The propagation of species like teak, bamboo, mango, neem, guava and jackfruit will help conserve soil and stop soil erosion," says Bikrant and adds, "We are also planting bamboo to provide alternative livelihood options to resident tribal groups like Gond and Korku. At Grow-Trees.com, we are committed to expanding India's green cover and doing our best to nurture eco-sensitive regions and wildlife habitats. We look forward to more and more people joining us in this mission."
Tree plantation has a host of other benefits too. Even looking at trees from a window is proven to reduce stress, anxiety and improve wellbeing. Trees and shrubs, like all plants, also help to protect us from pollutants by acting as natural filters. Harmful heavy metals, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus on our land surfaces can contaminate our water, but the roots of shrubs intercept these pollutants. This is why it is especially important to plant shrubs on land that borders water - this is called the riparian zone. Trees and shrubs improve soil and water conservation too.
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