Working towards a greener world
Working towards a greener world
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jun282005/spectrum822372005627.asp
The Alt Tech Foundation plans to plant 50,000 saplings and nurture them in local conditions to increase green cover in fertile lands. NIRMALA GOVINDARAJAN finds out more.
Biodiversity is not about going after exotic plants, but about nurturing trees that flourish in local conditions, says the Alternative Technology (Alt Tech) Foundation.
Planting trees and leaving them to their fate isn’t the approach of this foundation, which sees re-introducing trees in barren lands as one way of many to create awareness on environmental friendliness.
It is not hard to understand that an organisation with this objective has something different to offer in the subject. With more fertile lands going barren, the Alt Tech Foundation has set itself the target of planting 50,000 saplings before the end of the year. And it has not looked beyond Karnataka while choosing what to plant.
The foundation’s director Anuradha Eswar explains that sustainability is a key factor in the mass-planting of trees. “I may have admired a tree in the Himalayas, but transplanting it in Karnataka will not work because of variations in soil and other conditions. Also, we need to look at factors that matter in the long run when it comes to planting trees,” she says.
Champaka, Sirsi, Kanak Champaka, Neem, Indian Butter Tree, Honne, Bhendi, Raintree, and Tamarind feature in Anuradha’s list of trees that will adorn the chosen landscape. The foundation has already zeroed-in on Agara village near Tatguni and Sagalipura for their project.
Anuradha reveals that they settled for the two villages because the foundation was looking for a place where trees will not be felled for the next 50 to 60 years. “The idea is to stabilise conditions in these areas, which is a long-term process. Things like reducing carbon content in the air aren’t good enough if it is going to work only for a few years.”
The fact that Agara and Sagalipura have a large number of empty lands makes the villages ideal for the project. The local Panchayat has assured the foundation that the land where the trees are to be planted will be protected. Alt Tech knows that sustainability of trees depends on the well-being of the local community, a reason why setting up basic amenities like schooling has been seriously considered.
Help from corporates
Readiness among local institutions and the people to guard trees has prompted the foundation to go ahead with planting saplings. This will take place in the monsoon months of June to August. A team has been appointed to oversee the activity. Individuals and corporates have been approached to sponsor a tree for Rs 350.
A board with details of the sponsor will be placed before the tree they have adopted and photographs of different stages in the tree’s growth will be sent to the sponsor. “It is heartening to see people coming forward to sponsor trees. The response so far has been positive and is an indication of the willingness among so many people to do their bit for the environment,” Anuradha mentions.
The foundation has over 17 years of experience in energy, water and vegetation. Biodiversity Conservation India Limited (BCIL), the foundation’s sister organisation, was founded with the active participation of architects, climate scientists, water management experts, energy analysts and the concerned public.
“We know how much pollution occurs when vehicles emit carbon monoxide and how much water is wasted when it flows into the drainage. The concern has driven us into sustainable development,” Anuradha says. Waste water management and rainwater harvesting are among several facilities offered at BCIL’s latest project in T-Zed homes on Bangalore’s Airport Road.
To sponsor a tree in the sustainable development project, contact: The Alt Tech Foundation at 2553-9300/9344/9350 or email bioconserve@vsnl.com.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jun282005/spectrum822372005627.asp
The Alt Tech Foundation plans to plant 50,000 saplings and nurture them in local conditions to increase green cover in fertile lands. NIRMALA GOVINDARAJAN finds out more.
Biodiversity is not about going after exotic plants, but about nurturing trees that flourish in local conditions, says the Alternative Technology (Alt Tech) Foundation.
Planting trees and leaving them to their fate isn’t the approach of this foundation, which sees re-introducing trees in barren lands as one way of many to create awareness on environmental friendliness.
It is not hard to understand that an organisation with this objective has something different to offer in the subject. With more fertile lands going barren, the Alt Tech Foundation has set itself the target of planting 50,000 saplings before the end of the year. And it has not looked beyond Karnataka while choosing what to plant.
The foundation’s director Anuradha Eswar explains that sustainability is a key factor in the mass-planting of trees. “I may have admired a tree in the Himalayas, but transplanting it in Karnataka will not work because of variations in soil and other conditions. Also, we need to look at factors that matter in the long run when it comes to planting trees,” she says.
Champaka, Sirsi, Kanak Champaka, Neem, Indian Butter Tree, Honne, Bhendi, Raintree, and Tamarind feature in Anuradha’s list of trees that will adorn the chosen landscape. The foundation has already zeroed-in on Agara village near Tatguni and Sagalipura for their project.
Anuradha reveals that they settled for the two villages because the foundation was looking for a place where trees will not be felled for the next 50 to 60 years. “The idea is to stabilise conditions in these areas, which is a long-term process. Things like reducing carbon content in the air aren’t good enough if it is going to work only for a few years.”
The fact that Agara and Sagalipura have a large number of empty lands makes the villages ideal for the project. The local Panchayat has assured the foundation that the land where the trees are to be planted will be protected. Alt Tech knows that sustainability of trees depends on the well-being of the local community, a reason why setting up basic amenities like schooling has been seriously considered.
Help from corporates
Readiness among local institutions and the people to guard trees has prompted the foundation to go ahead with planting saplings. This will take place in the monsoon months of June to August. A team has been appointed to oversee the activity. Individuals and corporates have been approached to sponsor a tree for Rs 350.
A board with details of the sponsor will be placed before the tree they have adopted and photographs of different stages in the tree’s growth will be sent to the sponsor. “It is heartening to see people coming forward to sponsor trees. The response so far has been positive and is an indication of the willingness among so many people to do their bit for the environment,” Anuradha mentions.
The foundation has over 17 years of experience in energy, water and vegetation. Biodiversity Conservation India Limited (BCIL), the foundation’s sister organisation, was founded with the active participation of architects, climate scientists, water management experts, energy analysts and the concerned public.
“We know how much pollution occurs when vehicles emit carbon monoxide and how much water is wasted when it flows into the drainage. The concern has driven us into sustainable development,” Anuradha says. Waste water management and rainwater harvesting are among several facilities offered at BCIL’s latest project in T-Zed homes on Bangalore’s Airport Road.
To sponsor a tree in the sustainable development project, contact: The Alt Tech Foundation at 2553-9300/9344/9350 or email bioconserve@vsnl.com.
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