Project Green Hands

For the last few decades forest cover in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has been relentlessly decreasing. The combined effect of intensive farming methods, industrial growth and the use of trees to meet the fuel and housing needs of a growing population, has reduced the forest cover to just 17%. In response to its own research the Indian national government recommends that forest cover of 33% should be restored in order to maintain the water table and a healthy agricultural ecology.

Project GreenHands started through Sadhguru's vision within the Isha Yoga Centre. In 1992 there were only a handful of trees on the estate – by 2007 over 2000 had been planted. In 2002 Vanashree Eco Centre was started along with the Velliangiri Hills Conservation Project. In 2003 trees were planted throughout 5 districts of the Action for Rural Rejuvenation Project and in 2004 Project GreenHands was formally initiated. In 2005 over 25,000 trees were planted in Tsunami devastated coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and in 2006 856,000 trees were planted in just 3 days, achieving the project a place in the Guinness World Book of Records. The Project's current aim is to inspire and support the citizens of Tamil Nadu to plant the astonishing total of 114 million trees.

From its small beginnings Project GreenHands has already achieved remarkable results. The Isha Foundation, with its ethos of selfless giving and its core of dedicated volunteers, has been central to the project and has inspired thousands of others to become involved, not only in India, but all over the world. The inclusivity of Project GreenHands, capturing the interest and enthusiasm of everyone from small children to successful businessmen and politicians, has ensured that there has been a groundswell of local rural support with all the indigenous understanding and knowledge that such support brings. Indigenous local knowledge ensures that the trees planted are appropriate to the ongoing needs of the living communities, that the ancient ways of working with, rather than against nature are re-established, and that all involved appreciate the need to maintain this level of ecological awareness for the future.

Community involvement lies at the very core of Project GreenHands. It is only through the passion, commitment and dedication of many thousands of volunteers that the Project has been able to grow at the rate it has. From the youngest of schoolchildren to the eldest of farmers, the project has energised children, parents, grandparents, shopkeepers, businessmen and politicians alike.

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