In 2021, a total of 20 farmers from 5 villages of Haryana have been shortlisted for plantation of 10,006 saplings of multiple species after an in-depth assessment of their farms undertaken by the Earthworm team.
1. After an in-depth farm assessment, interested farmers were shortlisted. 2. As per the agroforestry experts' suggestions, relevant species for the Haryana region were selected. 3. Quality saplings were procured from nurseries and transported to the farms.
Meeting with farmers to sensitize them about the importance of trees and encourage them for plantation.
Suitable space at farms was identified to plant saplings. The existing status of soil, ground water, and biodiversity at the farms were recorded.
A panel of agroforestry experts has been constituted to seek recommendations on suitable species for Haryana region.
Quality saplings have been developed at nurseries under the supervision of the Earthworm team.
Saplings are properly transported and special attention was given during loading and unloading of saplings.
Saplings are planted at farms following the recommended planting techniques.
To enhance the soil health and biodiversity, the following species consisting of timber, fruit and flower has been planted at different farms.
Sr. No. | Scientific Name | Local Name | Saplings Planted |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Dalbergia sissoo |
Sheesham | 6002 |
2 | Melia species |
Bakain | 1002 |
3 | Azadirachta indica |
Neem | 502 |
4 | Pongamia pinnata |
Karanj | 500 |
5 | Syzygium cumini |
Jamun | 1000 |
6 | Psidium guajava |
Amrood | 1000 |
Total Saplings Planted |
The campaign aims to record tree growth measured in terms of height and girth. It will be updated every quarter.
The height and girth of each sapling were measured. These parameters varied inter and intra-specific hence average height and girth has been calculated based on each species.
The data thus measured resulted in the quantitative measurement of impact like biomass, carbon stock, and carbon dioxide sequestrated.
Sr. No. | Species (Local Name) |
Baseline Data | Quarterly Update | Growth % | Remarks | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Height (cm) |
Girth (cm) |
Height (cm) |
Girth (cm) |
Height (%) |
Girth (%) |
|||
1 | Sheesham | 106.28 | 1.18 | 273 | 7.5 | 230.13 | 678.12 | - |
2 | Bakain | 94.70 | 1.10 | 284 | 11.5 | 314 | 1113.5 | - |
3 | Neem | 82.92 | 1.00 | 201 | 7.8 | 230 | 718 | - |
4 | Karanj | 85 | 1 | 185 | 8.5 | 118 | 891 | |
5 | Jamun | 91.65 | 1.01 | 363 | 9.5 | 290 | 718 | - |
6 | Amrood | 88.04 | 1.04 | 163 | 7 | 83.23 | 628.791 | - |
This data is until December'2023.
Every single tree has got many impacts on human life and environment and with 10,000 saplings on the ground, significant positive influences are expected. Below is the report of key impact parameters and activities.
Providing employment opportunities to the local community.
Plantation of tree species increases the green cover of the area and improves biodiversity at farms.
Sr. No. | Parameters | Details | Remarks | Future Projection |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Farmers typology | Farmers shortlisted for this lot are of different categories. 10% are semi-medium, 40% medium and 50% are large. The main focus has been given to Semi medium, medium and large -scale farmers to improve their resilience. | Farmer's typology is generally developed based on their landholding is to categorize them among marginal to large scale categories. | With the agroforestry model, marginal, Small and semi-medium farmers will become more resilient when these trees will get mature and make them open for new experiments such as chemical-free farming. |
2 | Land area covered | A total of 609 acres of land has been covered under this plantation. Majority of saplings are planted on the boundary of farms. | Saplings planted on farms will prevent soil erosion and increase soil moisture and improve soil fertility. | Projection about impact will be made after couple of years. |
3 | Survival rate of saplings | The current survival rate is 64%. | The average survival of different species of saplings is in the range of 40 - 50%. | It is assumed that the survival percentage of saplings may be at 55 – 65%. |
4 | Canopy cover | Average canopy cover of the species under CTC may range between 3 - 8 meters in diameter. | Canopy cover of a tree can be defined as the proportion of area covered by the vertical projection of tree crowns. | The canopy cover in the next 10 years of the plantation may cover 24 - 127 Acres which is in between 4 - 21% of total land area covered. |
5 | Above-Ground biomass | The current above-ground biomass is around 2109 kg. | Above-ground biomass is the most visible of all the carbon pools, and changes in it are an important indicator of change or of the impact of an intervention on benefits related to both carbon mitigation and other matters. Above-ground biomass is a key pool for most land-based projects. | It is predicted that the above-ground biomass will be around 450- 600 tons. |
6 | Below-Ground biomass | The current below-ground biomass is around 578 kg. | The root system is important not only for anchoring trees in the soil but it also fulfils a variety of physiological functions such as water and nutrient absorption from the soil and storage of carbohydrates. Tree roots significantly contribute to the total biomass and carbon storage in forests. | It is predicted that the below-ground biomass will be around 100- 150 tons. |
7 | Total biomass | The current total biomass is around 2686 kg. | Biomass is a measure of biological matter, expressed in weight. Total of above and below-ground biomass. | It is predicted that the total biomass will be around 550- 750 tons. |
8 | Carbon stock | The current carbon stock is around 917 kg. | Carbon stock is the amount of carbon that has been sequestered from the atmosphere and is now stored within the forest ecosystem. | It is predicted that the carbon stock will be around 200- 350 tons. |
9 | Carbon dioxide sequestered | Total carbon dioxide sequestered is around 3168 kg. | Through the biochemical process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is taken in by trees and stored as carbon in the trunk, branches, leaves, and roots. Carbon is also stored in the soil and indeed this is a major sink for carbon in the forest. | It is predicted that carbon dioxide sequestration will be around 700- 1000 tons. |
10 | Soil quality | Based on soil testing, the soil is loamy sand with low organic carbon between 0.30% to 0.40%. | Soil quality is the capacity of a specific kind of soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and support human health and habitation. | Over a period of time, trees improve the soil's structure and improve its fertility and help in preventing soil erosion. Probing root growth breaks up the soil, which creates spaces for storing air and water. Tree roots improve drainage because each root acts as an underground water channel to help water penetrate the soil. |
11 | Employment Generation | Total of 600 man-days employment generated by plantation of 10,000 saplings. | There is a need to increase employment opportunities at the community level. | It is estimated that this plantation lot will create more than 1,400 man days direct or indirect employment in 10 to 15 years. |
We collaborate with partners in many different ways, from receiving donor funds to developing tools, techniques, and projects.
Recently, the media has covered the program run by Earthworm to address the concerns related to soil health and biodiversity.
QR code for 2021 plantation done by the Porter Designs in Haryana, India.
Earthworm Foundation is a non-profit organization built on values and driven by the desire to positively impact the relationship between people and nature. With most of our staff operating directly on the ground where the issues are, we work with our members and partners to make value chains an engine of prosperity for communities and ecosystems. In fact, we see a world where forests are a boundless source of materials and a home for biodiversity; communities see their rights respected and have opportunities to develop; workers are seen as productive partners, and agriculture becomes the instrument to feed a hungry planet and keep our climate stable.
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