Project GreenHands

Community Ecological Initiative – Southern India

An inspiring ecological initiative of the Isha Foundation, Project GreenHands seeks to prevent and reverse environmental degradation, and enable sustainable living. The project aims to create 10% additional green cover in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Drawing extensively on people’s participation (currently including over 2 million volunteers) hundreds of millions of trees have been planted state-wide.  

PGH had its root in the Vanashree Eco Project, which was started in 2002 to conserve and protect the Velliangiri Mountain range, where Isha Yoga Center is located. Isha volunteers have sown lakhs of seeds to propagate the native species in the area to revive the ecology and biodiversity of the mountains. Such issues as spiraling desertification where many major rivers have already dried up and agricultural failure, was peaking through combined effects of different land degradation processes and drought.

As a first step, a mass tree planting marathon was held on October 17, 2006. It resulted in 852,587 saplings being planted in 6284 locations across 27 districts in the state, by over 256,289 volunteers in just one day, setting a Guinness World Record. Further campaigns aim at involving more local educational institutions, NGOs, corporate and individuals to produce saplings and plant trees at large scale as well as agro-forestry models among the farming communities. 

Project GreenHands also helped develop The Green School Movement, which aims to create “green consciousness” in the younger generation by training them in sapling production and plantation through school nurseries. Right from sowing the seeds to finally growing it into a tree, children are involved in every aspect of the project. Environmental education is delivered as an experience, rather than something in a textbook.

This large-scale tree planting project has enhanced biodiversity, protected the soil, restored ecological balance and provided livelihood opportunities for thousands across the state. This compelling plan reestablishes the power of individual action for large-scale change. The project is a massive effort in community building, encouraging supportive relationships between urban and rural societies, government and industry to shape the course of the world.

Website: Project Green Hand
2) https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/cauvery-calling

Video: Sadhguru and Tree Planting