“Ente Maram”(My tree)

“Kochu karangal maram natal

  Pacha puthakkum Malayalam”

      Translated to English that reads, “If little hands plant a tree, evergreen will Kerala be”.

     This is the slogan for the scheme that was launched jointly by the Education and Forest Departments of Kerala, in May 2007.

     The project is intended to cover 20 lakh students, studying in Classes Vth to IXth. Each child has to plant a tree either in his own compound or in the school or elsewhere and monitor its growth. To begin with, the saplings are being provided by the Forest Department. The children are required to choose a sapling from amongst the 25 different species provided, keeping in mind, the nature of the soil, moisture content etc. of their surroundings. To encourage them to build a close relationship with the tree that they have planted, they are  also given a booklet/diary, in which they have to note down the various changes that they observe about the tree, as it grows.

     Interspersed with the blank spaces against the calendar dates, for making the entries about what they observe, these diaries also contain several snippets of information on topics related to environmental upkeep , as also notes on the damage caused by developmental and commercial activities , on the natural habitat. The Chipko movement of the sub Himalayas, the Bishnoi tribe of Rajasthan and Salim Ali are featured in the booklet, amongst others, as inspiring stories of people who fought for conservation of the natural habitat. The perils of war , greed and wanton  industrialisation are also highlighted, giving examples of Hiroshima, the Bhopal Gas tragedy, the steady decline of mangroves , the pollution of the Dal Lake and so on. More immediate and local  illustrations such as the disastrous effects on health, caused by the spraying of endosulphan on cashew plantations in the Kasargode District of Kerala, the prolonged struggle of the local populace against the Rayon Industry that was set up on the shores of the River Chaliyar, which went on for nearly 35 years, are also detailed in the booklet.

      The  Kerala Government visualizes that  the “My tree” project, will help engender in the children, an attitude that is empathetic to nature and will instill in them, the awareness, that Mankind is just one of the strands of the intricate web that Nature weaves.

    The booklet carries messages from the Chief Minister, Shri V.S. Achyutandan, Education Minister, Shri M.A. Baby and the Minister of Forests and Wildlife, Shri Binoy Vishwam.

    The CM has this to say, “Unplanned, uncontrolled exploitation of nature is now taking the world to the brink of disaster. By cutting down forests and uprooting trees from our villages, Kerala is also contributing to this . This state is gradually losing its green cover. Global warming and related problems are beginning to play havoc with the environmental balance”. He goes on to conclude that a long term vision that helps to develop the green cover by planting trees suitable to the respective soils in different areas , is the only way to restore the ecological balance that is now in jeopardy.  

    Shri M.A. baby, the Minister for Education, in his message urges upon the students the need to live simply, in harmony with nature, refraining from violating the laws that invest the natural world with its sustainability. He expresses the hope that through the act of planting a tree, watering and nurturing it, a broader vision towards a sustainable future will also take root amongst the children.

    The message I liked best is from Shri Binoy Vishwam, Minister of Forests and WildLife, who addresses the students thus:

 “Dear Student friends,

        The skies, the Earth, the air and water and all the rest of our natural environment is going through a serious crisis. More than anyone else, it is imperative that you children come to understand the seriousness of these issues, because the future belongs to you.

    Generations before us knew, that our lives were not exclusive phenomena, but a part of Nature. We, of the recent generations, chose to ignore the goodness and harmony that was intrinsic to their way of life. We chose instead, to view nature purely from the commercial angle. Exploiting nature with only profits in mind, we continued to sow the seeds of disaster that is now imminent upon us. And now the shocking realization of the consequences of our greed is gradually dawning upon us. We are slowly beginning to understand that Mother Earth who has been all of this while, trampled upon by the greed of Man, is going to retaliate, sowing hurricanes and havoc in her turn.

    What is being asked of you, the student community of Kerala, is that you take upon yourselves the duty of protecting, not just your future, but the future of coming generations. You have to become the guardians of Mankind and Nature. Remember the saying “Child is the father of Man”.

     When you plant a sapling with your hands, water it and nurture its growth into a tree, you spread an umbrella over the Earth’s surface. You help the Earth breathe , pulling it away from the jaws of death and resuscitating it; you make a proclamation that you will not let life on this planet wither away.

    This project “My tree”, in which twenty lakh students will participate, is going to be a model for the rest of the world. And when the world witnesses this unparalleled act of yours, this country will be proud of you, the champions of this cause.

                     With a heart overwhelmed,

                               And with pride,

                            I send you my wishes.

                                     Affectionately,

                                      Binoy Vishwam.”

(Messages translated from Malayalam)

     Now isn’t this truly heartening news from “God’s own country”? I know for a fact that the project is already on, as I borrowed a copy of the booklet from my brother –in-law, who is a Senior Secondary School teacher, in Kannur District.  The first round of saplings have indeed been supplied to the children and the planting done. The success of the project will of course depend on the teachers, the parents and the students themselves , all of whose co-operation and commitment has been called upon.

      Let’s wish them all the best, shall we?

P.S. Those of you who have read this far , please also access the following link to learn more about Wangary Mathai, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004, and to read the speech delivered by her, while accepting the prize. She was bestowed this honour for the “Green Belt Movement”, which was launched by her in Africa. The speech of Mathai also finds a place in the booklet of the “My tree” scheme.

Wangary Mathai was also awarded the Indira Gandhi International Award for Peace,Disarmament and Development for 2006.

     It is raining women these days..of the powerful kind...ain't it? :-)

 http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/a.php?id=34