Project GreenHands
Encyclopedia
Project Green Hands is a grassroots ecological initiative established by Isha Foundation
in the state of Tamil Nadu
, India
. The stated mission of the project is to plant 114 million trees throughout Tamil Nadu as soon as possible and increase the forest cover in the state to 33 percent. Since its inception, Project Green Hands has organized the planting of 8.2 million trees by over 2 million people in over 1800 communities across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
, Governor of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan
. The marathon resulted in 852,587 saplings being planted in 6284 locations across 27 districts in Tamil Nadu by over 256,289 volunteers in just three days. This event resulted in the setting of a Guinness World Record
for the most trees planted in three days.
PGH has also partnered with companies such as Standard Chartered and Scope International, Suzlon
, EADS
, and HPCL.
, Kumaraguru College of Technology
and Salem Government Arts College.
Plant nurseries are a key component of the PGH strategy. PGH currently has over 400 nurseries throughout Tamil Nadu, many of which are the result of partnerships with other organizations. Thirty six varieties of saplings including timber, fruit, fuel, fodder and medicinal plants are produced in these nurseries to suit different ecological zones. In 2008, PGH established 3 centralized nurseries in Coimbatore
, Salem and Gobichettipalayam
, which utilize modern production technologies and skilled labour to produce saplings. Besides these, there are many regional nurseries which are fully sponsored by corporate entities, institutions, self help groups or individuals.
was the first city in which such an initiative was launched. The Green Tirupur Movement was launched in Tirupur on August 23, 2009 by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin. The Movement began with an exhibition at the Town Hall leading to the inauguration of the planting celebration and was followed by the planting of over 25,000 saplings across the city. The Green Karur Movement was launched on January 10, 2010, in the city of Karur
.
In the latter half of 2010, PGH launched a series of urban greening initiatives, beginning with the Green Madurai Campaign which was launched on September 26, in Madurai
with the Mayor of Madurai G. Thenmozhi receiving the first sapling from Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. A total of 20,000 saplings were distributed to members of the public to mark the launch. This was followed by the launch of the Green Dindigul Campaign at Dindigul
on October 1, the Green Tiruchi Movement at Trichy on October 2 and the Green Thanjavur Campaign at Thanjavur on October 22.
by the Government of India under the Organization category for the year 2008. The award was presented on World Environment Day, June 5, 2010, to the founder of PGH, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev by the former President of India
, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
.
Isha Foundation
Isha Foundation is a non-profit, spiritual organization founded in 1992 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. It is based at the Isha Yoga Center near Coimbatore, India and at the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences at McMinnville, Tennessee in the United States. The foundation offers various yoga programs...
in the state of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The stated mission of the project is to plant 114 million trees throughout Tamil Nadu as soon as possible and increase the forest cover in the state to 33 percent. Since its inception, Project Green Hands has organized the planting of 8.2 million trees by over 2 million people in over 1800 communities across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
History
PGH was launched during the World environmental week in June 2004 by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. PGH's first major mass tree planting marathon was held on October 17, 2006. The marathon was flagged off by Dr. M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, planting the first sapling at his Gopalapuram residence in Chennai and it concluded with the final sapling being planted by His Excellency Surjit Singh BarnalaSurjit Singh Barnala
Surjit Singh Barnala is an Indian politician from Punjab. During his career in Indian politics, he has been Governor of four states, Chief Minister of Punjab, a minister in the union cabinet twice and a vice-presidential candidate once.-Early life:Barnala was born in Ateli village, which was then...
, Governor of Tamil Nadu at Raj Bhavan
Raj Bhavan (Tamil Nadu)
Raj Bhavans " is the official residence of the Governor of Tamil Nadu. It is located in the capital city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.-History:The earliest official residence of the Governors of Madras were in Fort St. George, the first one built in the 1640s on what is now the Parade Square...
. The marathon resulted in 852,587 saplings being planted in 6284 locations across 27 districts in Tamil Nadu by over 256,289 volunteers in just three days. This event resulted in the setting of a Guinness World Record
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
for the most trees planted in three days.
With businesses
PGH has collaborated with companies such as The Yves Rocher Group which has been a partner of PGH since 2007. Rocher sponsored 1 million saplings in Tamil Nadu over a three year period from 2007 to 2009.PGH has also partnered with companies such as Standard Chartered and Scope International, Suzlon
Suzlon Energy
Suzlon Energy is a global wind power company based in India. In terms of market share, the company is the fifth largest wind turbine manufacturer in Asia...
, EADS
EADS
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. is a global pan-European aerospace and defence corporation and a leading defence and military contractor worldwide...
, and HPCL.
With educational institutions
PGH has partnered with and conducted various tree planting drives and mass awareness campaigns across schools and colleges in the state of Tamil Nadu such as National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi, Bharathidasan UniversityBharathidasan University
Bharathidasan University is a university in the city of Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu state, India. It has affiliated colleges in districts of the state, including Nagapattinam, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Tiruchirapalli. It is a recognised university, supported by the...
, Kumaraguru College of Technology
Kumaraguru College of Technology
Kumaraguru College of Technology , in Coimbatore is a private Engineering College started in 1984 under the auspices of Ramanandha Adigalar Foundation, a charitable educational trust of Sakthi Group. Located at Saravanampatti 2 km from Sathy road in Coimbatore - Mysore National highway , the...
and Salem Government Arts College.
With other NGOs
PGH has partnerships with The Tamil Nadu Organic Farmers Movement, LEISA – Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture, a worldwide organization working for the promotion of organic farming, NAAM – National Agriculturist Awareness Movement, a national organization working to revive the farming community and discuss new farming methodologies, Tamilaga Iyarkai Uzavar Iyakkam and Joint Action for Sustainable Livelihood (JASuL). PGH has also established partnerships with NGOs involved in rural community development, such as the Eranda Foundation of the United Kingdom, King Lion Media, OAZONE and the Rotary Club of Coimbatore and the Rotary Club, Neyveli.Modus Operandi
In the targeted plantation zones, PGH gives paramount importance to beneficiary motivation. By including all beneficiaries in the process, instilling a strong sense of ownership and by building up a relationship between people and trees, PGH seeks to ensure the sustainability of the program. The involvement of women and children is also a cornerstone of PGH’s policies and child-focused group discussions held in rural areas are a valuable tool used by PGH.Plant nurseries are a key component of the PGH strategy. PGH currently has over 400 nurseries throughout Tamil Nadu, many of which are the result of partnerships with other organizations. Thirty six varieties of saplings including timber, fruit, fuel, fodder and medicinal plants are produced in these nurseries to suit different ecological zones. In 2008, PGH established 3 centralized nurseries in Coimbatore
Coimbatore
Coimbatore , also known as Kovai , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a major commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is known as the "Manchester of South India"....
, Salem and Gobichettipalayam
Gobichettipalayam
Gobi or Gobichettipalayam is a Municipality in Erode District of Tamil Nadu state, India. A major part of present Gobichettipalayam was previously known as Veerapandi Gramam, and documents and records still use that name. Gobichettipalayam is an important city in the North- Western part of Erode...
, which utilize modern production technologies and skilled labour to produce saplings. Besides these, there are many regional nurseries which are fully sponsored by corporate entities, institutions, self help groups or individuals.
Urban greening initiatives
PGH has launched several initiatives to increase green cover in urban areas across Tamil Nadu. TirupurTirupur
Tiruppur pronounced as is a textile city located on the banks of Noyyal River. It is also called Dollar city. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tiruppur district. It forms a part of the ancient Kongu Nadu region of South India, where its people were the first to establish territorial...
was the first city in which such an initiative was launched. The Green Tirupur Movement was launched in Tirupur on August 23, 2009 by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin. The Movement began with an exhibition at the Town Hall leading to the inauguration of the planting celebration and was followed by the planting of over 25,000 saplings across the city. The Green Karur Movement was launched on January 10, 2010, in the city of Karur
Karur
Karur is a large town and a municipality in Karur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Amaravati. Karur district was formed on 30 September 1995 by trifurcating Tiruchirappalli district. It is the administrative headquarters of Karur District. Karur has a very long...
.
In the latter half of 2010, PGH launched a series of urban greening initiatives, beginning with the Green Madurai Campaign which was launched on September 26, in Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
with the Mayor of Madurai G. Thenmozhi receiving the first sapling from Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. A total of 20,000 saplings were distributed to members of the public to mark the launch. This was followed by the launch of the Green Dindigul Campaign at Dindigul
Dindigul
Dindigul is a town and municipality in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. The name Dindigul comes from the Portmanteau of “Thindu” meaning pillow and “kal” meaning Rock and refers to the bare hill dominating the city’s both land and skyscape...
on October 1, the Green Tiruchi Movement at Trichy on October 2 and the Green Thanjavur Campaign at Thanjavur on October 22.
Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar
PGH was awarded the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran PuraskarIndira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar
Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar is an environment award instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in the year 1987, in order to encourage public participation in environment...
by the Government of India under the Organization category for the year 2008. The award was presented on World Environment Day, June 5, 2010, to the founder of PGH, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev by the former President of India
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam usually referred to as A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, is a renowned aerospace engineer, professor , and first Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram , who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007...
.