Isha Kickstarts Massive Plantation Drive In Tamil Nadu As Part Of Cauvery Calling, Targets 1.1 Crore Trees In 2023

To mark the special occasion, Sadhguru, in a message, shared, “Ending the ‘Use and Throw’ mentality is not only about reducing pollution, but it is also about respect for all creation. Everything comes from the living earth. Let us use it responsibly.”

In Tamil Nadu, Cauvery Calling successfully kickstarted a series of tree plantation drives aimed at enabling state farmers to plant 1.1 crore trees in their farms this year. Last year, the Cauvery Calling Movement achieved a milestone of planting 1 crore trees in Tamil Nadu.

The plantation drives were conducted in 140 farmer lands across all districts of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry planting a staggering 1.6 lakh trees in a day. The movement is facilitating farmers to plant valuable timber trees such as Teak, Red Sandalwood, Banyan, Neem, Mahogany and Rosewood, which, while improving their economic conditions are also crucial in revitalising the Cauvery River. These events were attended by MPs, MLAs, Mayors, and other prominent people including the general public who demonstrated their support for the movement.

In Coimbatore’s Pollachi town, MP K Shanmugasundaram inaugurated the “Plastic Free Noyyal River” Drive. As a part of this, Isha joined hands with the Tamil Nadu government to revive the Noyyal River, the main water source for four districts including Coimbatore and Tirupur. Accordingly, Isha was entrusted to remove the garbage from the first 4 km of the Noyyal River. The enthusiastic students of Isha Samskriti and Isha Home School came together to begin cleaning of the river. Touched by the involvement and dedication of the students, the honourable minister appreciated their efforts in preserving the environment.

Embracing the spirit of World Environment Day, Save Soil volunteers gathered at Marina Beach, Chennai, for a cleanliness drive to Beat Plastic Pollution. Leading by example, the volunteers collected plastic waste to preserve the pristine marine environment.

Save Soil volunteers with the support of Tamil Nadu Forest Department also collected plastic bottles, covers, and other waste left behind by trekkers at the sacred Velliangiri Mountains. Located in Coimbatore, it holds immense historical and spiritual significance attracting a large number of devotees. Therefore, conducting cleanliness drives becomes essential to preserve the pristine environment of the hills.

Save Soil Movement led by Sadhguru is activating citizen support and prompting governments across the world to form policies addressing the world’s dying soil. With 52% of the world’s agricultural soil already degraded, the Save Soil movement recommends that agricultural soils should have a minimum of 3-6% soil organic matter (SOM) based on regional conditions.

Isha through Thenkailaya Bhakti Peravai initiated its annual environmental cleanliness drive in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department on 7th May 2023

In Karnataka, the newly-elected Chikkaballapur MLA Pradeep Eshwar planted a sapling near Adiyogi at Sadhguru Sannidhi, Bengaluru, as part of Isha's “Green Chikkaballapur” tree planting initiative, which will drive plantation of over 10,000 saplings in 2023 in the district. The youngest MLA of the Karnataka government said that he was proud of the initiatives taken up by Isha and promised his unconditional support towards all the development activities. The Save Soil Volunteers and local villagers spent the day planting saplings at Sadhguru Sannidhi.

Isha also undertook a tree plantation drive at Thippenahalli and Avalagurki villages at Chikkaballapur by offering five fruit-bearing saplings free of cost to each farmer who had raised the demand during a survey conducted by Isha. The farmers turned up in large numbers and received the saplings at these events.

Since 2020, the Government of Karnataka has distributed 24 million saplings to over 41,000 farmers in 9 Cauvery river basin districts. The Cauvery Calling team has been working with the Government of Karnataka in creating mass awareness through over 1,800 events and supporting over 51,500 farmers through the Cauvery Calling farmer helpline and WhatsApp groups.