The “WHY?”
Sky-rocketing temperatures, rising concrete jungles, raising dust winds, decreasing water tables - all have made life on earth a hot topic of debate in the recent years. Earth, our only planet, is in peril. The cries and hues to save earth have been so loud that we get little time to invest on actions.
Coimbatore too is suffering the blow of urbanization in the forms of infrastructure development and road widening. The array of trees that lined the main as well as arterial roads of the city had to bear the brunt of development activities. Although such initiatives have augured well for the economic development of the city, the physical environment has taken a backseat.
Coimbatore once called as poor man’s Ooty may become more arid and drought hit. In fact an UN survey proclaimed Coimbatore’s water situation as drought hit and beyond reclamation in 1985.
The rapidly expanding Coimbatore region is strategically located at the door step of the Western Ghats which is one of the most threatened eco-hotspots of our planet. Therefore it becomes essential that we address the root cause for the damages and take precautionary measures to stem the rot before it is too late.
While the ideal situation for any region is to have a 33% green cover, unfortunately, the green cover of the Coimbatore region is less than 10% and it is fast moving towards precariously dangerous situations. The year 2010 was the hottest year in the last 100 years is the glaring fact that global warming is fast approaching. As the responsible citizens of this country we should do everything possible to protect the future of our children and this nation from the clutches of climate change.
Pasumpulari - A Mission to Plant 1, 04, 572 Trees in 2011
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It is a timely announcement by the United Nations which has declared the year 2011 as the International year of Forests. 2011 also happens to be the 80th birthday of our mentor and guide Bharat Ratna Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the ever green people’s President of India. To commemorate both the events, Siruthuli and RAAC have launched an afforestation drive aptly named as PASUMPULARI – meaning “the dawn of green”. The objective of this unique program is to plant 1, 04, 572 trees (2011 Nos. per week x 52 weeks) during the year 2011 with a committed post-planting care to ensure 100% survival.
Through Pasumpulari, we are planning to create a net work of GREEN people through a 4 tiered structure
• Green Guardians who will be responsible for 1000 trees each
• Green Wardens who will be responsible for 100 trees each
• Green Hands who will be responsible for 10 trees each &
• Green Thumbs who will be responsible for 1 tree each
The project got flagged off on 09 January, 2011 with a rally by the future possessors of Mother Earth. Thereafter, the students joined in planting 80 saplings inside the PRS Grounds, Coimbatore, thus marking the beginning of this green journey.
From 09th January 2011 onwards, every month witnesses the participation of an eco-conscious celebrity, in this programme. The ten months following this see a flurry of green hands at work - planting, nurturing and raising saplings. Activities span a host of events, promotions and interactions to engage the public. This includes one to one interactions with people, roping in celebrities (sons of the soil) to lend their voices to the cause and mass interaction programmes. From then, sustained activities will take place, with a single minded focus to gain volunteer support. The City Administration, the important officials from all departments, members of the Police Force, Captains of Industries, members of all leading NGOs of Coimbatore, Social leaders and students, in the company of the vibrant media of Coimbatore participates in this noble endeavor.
Read more about the activities carried out each month:
- January - Inauguration by Dr C Sylendra Babu IPS & Planting at United Royal Riders.
- February - At Lakshminaickenpalayam & At K'Sirs International School with Cine Actor Sivakumar
- March - At Codissia Trade Fair Complex with Dr R K Pachauri.
- April - At Kavundampalayam Garbage Yard with Mr Anshul Mishra IAS
- June - At PRS Grounds with Dr C Sylendra Babu IPS & at Noyyal Life Centre by Cine Actor Shri Vikram
- July - At Various locations with Cine Actor Padma Shri Vivekh
- August - At ICCIC with Prof. Dr. G Kumaravelu, at L.N.Palayam, at Keeranatham with Youth Forum, at Marudhamalai Adivaram with Women SHGs.
- October
The project hopes to create awareness, effect change and sustain people involvement towards sustainable development. At the end, we wish to witness a radical improvement of the immediate environment and will be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the city’s citizens and its natural resources. The green initiative will be made possible through the combined efforts of individuals and corporate houses. Inputs can come either in the form of trees, land or financial support. Volunteer assistance will also be required to ensure accountability of each of the trees planted. It is expected that the result of this effort will help Coimbatore’s organisations rope in 80,000 volunteers, who will be able to dedicate themselves to one tree.
The web site www.greencoimbatore.com furnishes the details pertinent to this programme of planting and nurturing 100 thousand trees until each of these trees are two years old. People/Organisations with a passion to green the city, may register at the website, or call our call center at +91 422-4241830 or email to info@greencoimbatore.com for details.
Let’s together weave a “PASUMAI PONNAADAI” (A Green Shawl) for Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for having given us a vision for 2020.