PGH in 2006
Coimbatore, 13 January, 2007: The Mass Tree Planting Marathon organized by Isha Foundation on 17th October, 2006 during which 852,587 saplings were planted in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu has been declared a World Record by Guinness World Records, the London based record keepers.
Project Green Hands, of Isha Foundation is a simple but ingenious method to heal the planet, where even the poorest of the poor can contribute something that aggregates into a colossal protection for life on the planet. A total of 114 million trees are to be planted in the next 10 years entirely through people’s initiatives, increasing the present green cover of Tamil Nadu (17.5%) by another 10%.
One state governor, two Chief Ministers, 13 members of the state legislature along with 256,289 registered volunteers working on 6,284 sites spread over 29 districts joined people from all walks of life in planting the record number of saplings of more than 30 endemic species. They surpassed not only existing world records, but also their own target of 700,000 saplings.
During the year 2007, Isha Volunteers intend planting 25 million saplings as a loving commemoration of 25 years of Isha Yoga, a powerfully transforming yogic practice that was developed by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha Foundation.
Elaborate plans have been drawn to raise nurseries for the planting season from June to December, taking advantage of both the South-West and North-East monsoons received by the state. Over 85% of the planting would be in the rural areas and more than half the participants, school and college students.
A total of 3.5 million horticultural saplings, 14 million timber saplings, 3.75 million flowering and shade giving saplings along with 3.75 million saplings of pioneer trees species are required for the planting to be done in 2007. In order to incorporate planting of trees as a conscious culture among the general public, several awareness programs have been planned including celebrating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on the 2nd of October by planting 2.5 million saplings on the same day.
Isha Foundation seeks the support of like-minded individuals, organizations, funding agencies to come forward and partner with it in this unique initiative set to change the ecological situation of the state. Contributions may be made in the form of sponsorship of nurseries, or cost of saplings or commitments to plant and nurture saplings or by simply volunteering during the various activities planned in connection with the planting.
For more details contact: info@projectgreenhands.org