Human has made a significant accomplishment in the sector of science and technology. In this process of development, human are provided with extreme artificial comfort. Yet, the lives in the world are being challenged due to the exploitation of natural resources and forests. The world is deteriorating and thus concrete steps are to be taken to preserve it or the lives would be extinct. The beauty that we enjoy these days will turn itself into dreadful skeleton some days.
In our context, Nepal has a treasure of natural beauty. There is white range of high Himalayas that form beautiful landscape. Melted snow form snow lakes and the rivers. They are the sources of hydropower, irrigation and the places of adventurous water sports. Himalayas, together with the lakes and rivers, attract hundred of thousands of tourists every year. But these Himalayas might turn into black range of bare mountains within some decades if the pollution and natural degradation remain same. Ants might run over the rivers and springs instead of fresh water. The existence of the wetland organism might disappear. By then, ecological diversity would be limited on the pages of history. Many varieties of organisms would be disappeared. And this would affect the whole world.
Natural degradation leads towards natural disasters and environmental changes. Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations have risen by 25% to 39% over the last century. Presence of other pollutants has also been increased. But we are not well aware about the risk factors. On one hand, people are dying of hunger and on the other, they are forced to grab the dangerous weapons instead of bread. Awareness level is still low while some other extremists think that they could survive disasters even by shifting to other planet, contributing for destruction. Thus, we all most act committedly towards preserving the treasure of this wonderful world.
One of the best ideas to preserve nature for future generations is to plant trees. Trees could be planted using local resources and technologies without expecting for external (foreign/donor) supports. This is the best way of mitigating the challenges of the scientific development, accepting the opportunities. Trees are beautiful in themselves and they are identical. Changes could be observed even in the single tree as season changes. And thus, we feel calm looking at tree.
Personal and Spiritual Value
There are around 23,000 types of trees in the world. Each year, one person uses wood and paper products equivalent to a 100 foot tree 18 inches in diameter. Over 5,000 products are made from trees. Most importantly plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen for us to breath. One large tree can provide a day's supply of oxygen for up to four people.According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people."
Ecological and Environmental Value
Trees control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain and wind. Leaves absorb and filter the sun's radiant energy, keeping things cool in summer. Trees preserve warmth by providing a screen from harsh wind. Trees shield the direct fall of rain and hailstones while the roots hold soil and fight erosion. By absorbing rain water, trees help recharging the ground water. It also stops flood. Fallen leaves turn out to the compost and enrich the soil. Furthermore, trees supply food to many animals and many other creatures make their habitat on the trees.
Trees act as natural pollution filters by removing dust and absorbing other pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Trees can reduce bothersome noise by up to 50% and mask unwanted noises with pleasant, natural sounds. One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and discharge it into the air in a day. They reduce the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect by maintaining low levels of carbon dioxide.
Facts about trees and carbon
A tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year and an acre of trees absorbs enough CO2 over one year to equal the amount produced by driving a car 26,000 miles. One large tree strategically placed in a yard can replace 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours per day. In Canada's boreal forests as much as 80% of the total carbon is stored in the soils as dead organic matter. A 40-year study of African, Asian, and South American tropical forests by the University of Leeds, shows tropical forests absorb about 18% of all carbon dioxide added by fossil fuels. A study carried out at Kielder Forest has calculated that the Forest’s 150 million trees lock up 82,000 tonnesof carbon annually.
Economic Value
A healthy tree can increase our property value by as much as 27 %. A property for sale with five large trees in the front yard yields a 4% higher price than property with small trees or no trees. Similarly, apartments and offices with a green view rent quickly and get higher rent as much as 7%.
The presence of managed trees in farming systems can contribute to both the nutritional and income components of food security, providing foods, inputs into other food producing parts of the farm system, fuel for cooking, and products which can be sold. Tree plantation would be the best utilization of the land where other crops don't grow well. And there are crops that can grow along with or under the trees. Area of crop land per head is decreasing and thus people are engaged in other profession than agriculture. Most people want to get higher income with lower investment. For all these circumstances, planting trees prove to be a better solution.
Agro and rural tourism could also be promoted through managed plantation that would avail the nation with foreign currencies. Each year over 600,000 people travel to Macon, Georgia to see 240,000 cherry trees in bloom. The estimated revenue is over 6.5 million dollars per year.
Let's Plant More Trees
If 7,00,00,00,000 persons of the world plant 10 plants annually, there would be 70,00,00,00,000 plants planted. If only the half survive, there would be 35,00,00,00,000 new plants in the world annually. For developing countries, fruit plants could be promoted. If the fruit plants are of at least 50% of the total plantation, it could give returns as the average income of 25 USD per plant. In Nepalese context, if a people plant 10 plants a sum of 60,00,00,00,000 rupees could be generated annually. A good sum of money could be generated from Carbon credit too. Quantity of carbon absorption depends on the age of the tree. Young plants absorb more than the aged ones. The carbon absorbed by the old trees is equivalent to the carbon released during respiration and decay. Thus replantation is to be done on the interval of a few decades. The wood collected from the old trees during replantation will also generate money. This effort solely could establish Nepal as a rich country with fresh environment and beautiful landscape. Cause of saving the world could be started from here.
Realizing the above mentioned facts, Laxmi Pratisthan has a plan of planting at least 2,50,000 fruit plants within 5 years. That would contribute for saving the environment and increasing household income too. Under this "One House Ten Plants" programme, plants will be distributed as per the demand of the market and climatic condition of the area. Fruit plants and plants like Rudrakshawill be planted for regular annual income purpose while plants like Chandan (sandalwood), Paulownia, Shisham trees etc will be planted for the wood purpose. Besides mobilizing local people for the plantation, they will be encouraged for preserving the plants and generate income themselves. It takes a couple of years for the trees to start benefit that demands patience and passion. To maintain their enthusiasm from the plantation to the harvest, a side cropping will be carried out. The farmers will be encouraged to grow cash crops (green vegetables, medicine, spices etc.) on the same land. They will be equipped with the knowledge of multi cropping through various trainings. Besides labour costs that we cover from local people's contribution, there are various other monetary factors affecting the programme. Therefore, we request you all to help us in this pious purpose to the extentyou could contribute. Your investment in environmental cause will make your future generation's lives secured. So, let's join our hands. You are most welcome to "Save the World" campaign.