KOCHI: A novel initiative by GreenVein, Kochi, to plant one billion trees across the country will begin in the State on the World Environment Day, which falls on June 5. The initiative is promoted by the Abheda Ganga Maiya Trust, Haridwar.
The project aims at holding extensive afforestation programmes throughout India. “Trees that fit into the geography, habitat, culture and demography will be selected locally for plantation. Afforestation on degraded forest land,urban and rural habitats, farm lands, wetlands and other degraded or other forms of land will also come under the purview of the project, which will enable larger participation with diversity in approach,” said GreenVein officials. The project will be extended to all the Indian states and union territories in a phase-by-phase manner.
The project has a comprehensive approach, including selection of appropriate seeds, adoption of planting methods, finding local community partners, finding resource partners and ensuring the long-term goal of restoring natural forests.
“The locations will include rural, semi-urban and urban areas, which will depend on the availability and requirement. We are planning to have nurseries in every state, which will provide saplings for the afforestation programmes,” said Manoj Raveendran of Greenvein.
On Tuesday, writer Zacharia inaugurated the www.greenvein.org, the website of Greenvein, at the St Teresa’s College by planting a sapling.