Farmers from the Sendurai Birga of the Nattam Union in Dindigul are all set to plant 1 lakh trees in their farmlands in a bid to increase green cover in the Cauvery river basin in support of the Cauvery Calling movement and the Pasumai Sendurai Movement. The Cauvery Calling team distributed 10,000 Timber saplings to the farmers yesterday as part of this initiative. Pasumai Sendurai is an effort to green Sendurai Birga with grassroots support.

An inaugural function for sapling distribution was held in Palanipatti village of the Nattam Union last evening. The event was presided over by Mr. R.V.N. Kannan, head of the Nattam Union who flaged off the distribution. The gathering was also graced by the likes of Ms. Rajeshwari Alagarswami, President, Kudagipati Panchayat Council; Vice President, Mr. Surya Chandran and their fellow team member, Ms. Bhagyalakshmi Shivagnyanam; and Mr. Durai Arasu, Head of Paumai Sendurai Movement.

Cash crop saplings like Teak, Sandal, Yellow teak, Mahogany and Rosewood were distributed to the farmers keeping in mind the economic benefits that they would bring in terms of significantly increasing farmer income besides acting as standing, ready capital for farmers for exigencies. They are also beneficial to the ecosystem, and will enrich and strengthen soil and increasing its rainwater absorption capacity and recharging groundwater tables.

Volunteers from the Cauvery Calling team distributed the saplings and also provided free consultations to the farmers after visiting their farmlands. They examined soil and water quality and suggested appropriate vegetation that would not only grow well in their lands but also cater to their economic necessities. Farmer outreach and sapling distribution will continue until the goal of 1 lakh saplings is met.

Cauvery Calling aims to put a third of the Cavuery river basin area under shade by facilitating the plantation of 242 crore trees by farmers on their farmlands over a 12-year period. This is expected to increase farmer income substantially while also sequestering between 9 and 12 trillion liters of water in the basin area thus recharging all water bodies including wells, ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. It will augment river Cauvery’s source flow and secure food and water needs of 84 million people.