Restoring forests for restoring community health

Dear Supporter, 

Our story moves ahead from the monsoon of 2022 when we planted 5000 Karanja saplings in 4 plots, keeping in mind the learnings from the previous plantation cycle of 2021 - when out of 2000 saplings, only 559 seemed to have survived the harsh summer of 2022. 

This year, we were at an advantage with the erratic monsoon cycle extending upto Diwali. Hence, when our team went for survey and upkeep of the plantation sites in October, we were filled with optimism! 

Out of a total of 7000 saplings, prime facie evidence showed that more than 6000 saplings had made it till October - with almost 20% of them reaching of 3-4 feet in height! 

Furthermore, the field team did some major upkeep work by drawing fire-lines and replenishing the soil strata around the saplings in December. 

If we take a moment to really understand this journey from ground level to 4 feet, it becomes clear that it has spanned over 5 season changes and critical supportive intervention by the AERF field team. THIS is how important and investment-heavy the nurturing stage is for any sapling and that is where our focus should be whenever we take up any plantation activity. 

For careful monitoring of these saplings, we have begun GIS-tagging each of them to chart their progress through the coming months. We have also drafted a management plan for them which includes de-weeding and removal of climbers, cutting the grass growth around them to protect against forest fires, creating agave boundaries to protect against foraging. 

However, for now, please wish our saplings the best as they gear up to face their biggest challenge for the year - the summer season. 

May the fittest survive! 

Best regards,

Suchitra