From Books to Forests Newgen’s Eco Tree Project Engages 50K School Children

Across the world, the effects of climate change are being felt, making all of us open our eyes to the stark reality that the world’s ecosystem is under assault. We face a worrying intensification of the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste.

The UN has devoted June 5 to celebrate World Environment Day. World Environment Day has grown to be one of the largest platforms for environmental action and focuses on a different theme every year. This year, the theme is land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. It is a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all over the world.

For over two decades, we at Newgen have been working to create mini forests in urban areas, knowing that forests are ecosystems where biodiversity flourishes and becomes home to flora and fauna. Our humble effort is to provide the necessary resources for plants—the primary contributors to our environment.

Every year, over 4 acres of land are converted into mini urban forests. We provide holistic support for transforming a barren piece of land into a lush green mini forest within a period of 3-5 years. This includes identifying the place for planting, liaising with local government bodies, government administration, and residents/villagers to get permission to start the project, and engaging our workforce and local volunteers in the plantation and maintenance drives. We conduct awareness sessions on the importance of growing trees and the uses of native trees for local residents.

Known as the Eco Tree project, the socially-conscious leadership of Newgen came up with a way of contributing to the world’s depleting environment—we wanted to plant trees for every book the company helped publish. From this eco-friendly goal, the Eco Tree initiative was born. This initiative has grown in scope and strength, with numerous projects seeing the saplings planted grow into trees. This, in turn, has improved the ecology of the areas where the trees have grown.

The primary objective of regreening is to help improve the health and viability of our environment. The Eco Tree Project grows native tree saplings at the nursery situated in Kazhipattur, Kelambakkam, to a sustainable height of 2 to 3 feet. Planting is done only in protected areas like private lands, schools, colleges, factories, and residential areas. With community participation, suitable places for planting these saplings are identified. The Eco Tree Project covers the entire cost and manpower involved in the planting and maintenance process. Planting is done only on request (from individuals or organisations). A sapling can be planted on a piece of land only if the landowner permits it and the landowner owns the sapling. It is mandatory for each sapling being planted to be registered with the Eco Tree Project. This ensures periodic follow-ups to ensure survival and replanting if required.

The project plants 30,000 trees every year and ensures their growth with an overall survival rate of 54%.

Planting of the saplings is allowed only for those who take a pledge to care for the planted sapling for a period of two years, by which time the sapling will be firmly established and will survive on rainfall and other natural barriers. During these two years, the health of the saplings will be monitored, and the Eco Tree Project will replace saplings that are weak or don’t survive. Community participation ensures that the saplings are cared for.

There are various stages involved in the creation of a mini forest:

1. Soil Analysis: Soil analysis helps us determine water holding capacity, water infiltration, root perforation capacity, nutrient retention, and erodibility. Based on the results, we can conclude what the soil really needs.
2. Selection of Tree Species: We first identify the native tree species in the local area. Native plants are those that exist naturally in a region in which they evolved. They are adapted to local environmental conditions and require far less water, saving time, money, and valuable natural resources.
3. Forest Designing: This includes the master plan of the area, irrigation plan, and project plan.
4. Tree Plantation: This includes pit making, planting the sapling with a support stick and mulching, and filling with compost.
5. Maintenance and Monitoring: Regular maintenance drives are organised to replace dead saplings. Watering is done on a daily basis.

Newgen collaborates with educational institutions across Tamil Nadu to plant saplings with the involvement of school children. Over 50,000 children are involved in these plantation drives in collaboration with 328 schools. We also conduct participatory awareness sessions on the importance of tree plantation in every school we are associated with.

If you would like to be a part of the Nandavanam Eco Tree project, do get in touch with mickyjoseph@newgen.co