Trees for Villagers™

Why trees?
This area is in the Deccan plateau experiences extreme climatic variations resulting in hot summers and cold winters, the temperatures ranging from 42° C in summer to 5°C-13°C in winter months (Government of Maharashtra). The former chairman of Karnataka Agriculture Board and former Vice Chancellor of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Dwarakinath has stated that districts in Central India would be hit severely by the effects of climate change which include intensification of pest and insect attacks on crops, increased pressure on lands and harsh changes in the microclimate. To minimize the effects of the dry winds it would be required to increase the vegetative cover which would also help improve humidity in the atmosphere. Tree crops would help in the biological exchange between the cultivable area and non-sown area. (Climate Change will impact the Deccan Plateau, The Hindu, Sept. 26, 2009)

Social Impact
The cases of drought have been severe in the Deccan region and they are slated to increase, due to climate change. Due to this, the community is bound to experience severe crop failure due to the attack of pests and water crisis. There are also cases of drinking water crisis and deaths due to the heat waves and untimely monsoons. The trees planted will contribute to reducing these adverse effects at the same time providing the community with jobs during the plantation and maintenance period. 
The project has already provided around 3000 workdays of jobs to the rural community, mainly to women. Locals are getting a scope of earning from wages and are encouraged for the upkeep of the saplings. Multiple programs are run by our planting partners to educate the villagers for the conservation of natural resources and they have been greeted with a positive response from the community. For the protection of the saplings, villagers are more united which will create a positive atmosphere and is beneficial for long-term developmental measures. 
Adoption Summary

• 
  Common Name
  Lal Chandan or Raktachandan
  
  Botanical Name
  Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.
• 
  Common Name
  Ber
  
  Botanical Name
  Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.
• 
  Common Name
  Babool
  
  Botanical Name
  Vachellia nilotica
• 
  Common Name
  Neem
  
  Botanical Name
  Azadirachta indica
• 
  Common Name
  Karanj
  
  Botanical Name
  Pongamia pinnata
• 
  Common Name
  Jamun
  
  Botanical Name
  Syzygium cumini
• 
  Common Name
  Kachnar
  
  Botanical Name
  Bauhinia variegata
• 
  Common Name
  Khair
  
  Botanical Name
  Acacia catechu
• 
  Common Name
  Bel
  
  Botanical Name
  Aegle marmelos
• 
  Common Name
  Acacia
  
  Botanical Name
  Acacia auriculiformis