Beyond the Environmental Action
Livelihood Enhancement
Timber, fruit and fodder varieties of saplings have been identified for plantation. These include Teak, Rosewood, Red sandal, Kumizhil, Mahogony, Sisoo, Neermarudu, Silk Cotton, Thaani, Manjal Kadambai, Karumarudu, Pathimugam, Vagai, Peeyan Maram, Jack fruit, Amla, Mango, Sappotta, Glyericidia, Poovarasu and Avenue trees.
The source of livelihood in the future will come from the product of the trees (timber, fruits and fodder) with minimum inputs from the beneficiary. Job opportunities are also being provided in the targeted villages for various plantation and nursery activities.
The possibility for carbon credit funding is under assessment and could enhance the appeal for this scheme hence encouraging owners of barren land or village communities to undertake shrub clearance and plant trees instead.
Health Improvement
Isha creates awareness about malnutrition through Arokiya Alai health awareness campaign to encourage the people to grow fruit trees at home. The fruit saplings will also provide the required nutritional supplements for the villagers as a solution for the prevailing malnutrition situation. An intensive campaign for fruit tree plantation among householders will take place in 2009.
‘Arokiya Alai’ – health awareness and medical camps covered 45 villages during May-July 2009 treating 6,663 total patients including 3,542 female, 1,443 children and 1,446 elders. The camps were launched by planting trees. 450 saplings have been planted by local VIPs.
A Celebrative Community
Sports and recreation are introduced to rejuvenate the people to take care of themselves and their surrounding community. They also provide a healthy alternative to the growing problem of abuse and addiction. This simple but powerfully uplifting action renews a sense of joy and spirit of communal kinship. When the people are joyful and celebrating together, developing and implementing various project actions becomes much easier.
