Raising Awareness

Sowing the seeds

Deforestation and land degradation is a problem of growing significance all over the world. Project GreenHands process is to raise awareness about the problem. A shift in the existing mindset is crucial to create the awareness that is needed to preserve the natural environment for future generations.

A large-scale and wide-reaching awareness generation campaign has taken place using a number of different means and tools to address all levels of society and project stakeholders. More importantly, all over the state of Tamil Nadu, local volunteers have taken personal initiatives to target interest groups through diverse means such as awareness meetings, student talent competitions, nature awareness tours, video shows, processions and games, functions, involvement in nursery development and sapling planting.

As a part of the project, the annual planting season is launched every year on the World Environment Day since it coincides with the beginning of the rainy season. In 2009, many visitors of the Dhyanalinga Temple participated in a signature campaign to register their pledge for environmental commitments in 2009-2010. Central prison –Puzhal Chennai which has around 700 prison inmates worked with Project Green hands in planting trees on 5th June, 2009. Awareness campaigns happened in 26 locations for the World Environment Day, 2009.

Many schools and college students are contributing to the PGH effort, by planting 1000s of saplings. They are getting involved in practical activities like filling of plastic covers with mud and compost. The program in many ways fosters in children and youth the responsibility to care for their environment. Students shared the PGH enthusiasm not only by planting saplings, but also by getting involved in environmental activities.

Free sapling distribution, in particular, is used to attract public interest in the project and to provide opportunities for promotional meetings and events.