Trees for Villagers™

Why Trees?

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) states that trees support a wide variety of other plants that provide food for the people as well as the animals. They also provide firewood, fruit, honey, wax, gum, etc. that are highly beneficial for the deprived local communities of the region. The Government of Australia, in its article, ‘Using Trees to Control Groundwater Recharge: How Many are Enough?’ (1999), discussed the importance of trees to control salinity and groundwater recharge. The World Agroforestry Centre explains the role of a tree in the various soil building and nurturing processes like nitrogen fixation, the addition of organic material, protecting it from the wind and water. The World Wildlife Fund stresses the importance of trees in the habitat of wild animals and their conservation. Thus trees form an extremely essential part of the needs of wild ecosystems.

Tree Species

Karanj (Pongamia pinnata), Teak (Tectona grandis), Ber (Zizphus spp.), Ardusa (Ailanthus excelsa) and Garmada (Cassia fistula).

Social Impact       

The trees planted in the area will improve the agricultural conditions, by checking soil erosion and improving the water holding capacity of the soil in the arid climate. The plantation of mixed species will balance the nutrients absorbed from the soil, thus preventing the soil from turning infertile. The leaves falling from the trees will improve the humus content of the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers. Along with this, they provide NTFPs to the communities dwelling in the area. The local fauna is also dependent on these native trees, and thus the plantation initiative also helps in preserving those species.

Adoption Summary