Afforestation
Sometimes, the simplest acts carry quiet strength. Planting a native tree, caring for a patch of land, watching a sapling take root - these are gentle ways to invite life to return and people to reconnect with the earth.
What challenges are we facing?
Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the biggest challenges we face today. If we do not act, our planet may not be livable by 2050. Planting trees is one of the simplest and most effective ways to remove carbon dioxide from the air and mitigate climate change. Trees absorb and store carbon as they grow, and a global effort to plant them could remove nearly two-thirds of human-made emissions still in our atmosphere. Planting indigenous trees is especially important, as they support the biodiversity that sustains all life. This responsibility belongs not only to governments but to each of us who wishes to protect our shared future.
Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the biggest challenges we face today. If we do not act, our planet may not be livable by 2050. Planting trees is one of the simplest and most effective ways to remove carbon dioxide from the air and mitigate climate change. Trees absorb and store carbon as they grow, and a global effort to plant them could remove nearly two-thirds of human-made emissions still in our atmosphere. Planting indigenous trees is especially important, as they support the biodiversity that sustains all life. This responsibility belongs not only to governments but to each of us who wishes to protect our shared future.
What has happened in Melkote?
Over the past three decades, the wilderness around Melkote has vanished rapidly. Native species disappeared before we fully understood what we were losing. Trees were cut for firewood and timber, and to meet these needs, exotic species like Eucalyptus and Acacia were introduced. While they offered quick solutions, these trees spread widely, creating monocultures that left little space for other life to thrive.
Over the past three decades, the wilderness around Melkote has vanished rapidly. Native species disappeared before we fully understood what we were losing. Trees were cut for firewood and timber, and to meet these needs, exotic species like Eucalyptus and Acacia were introduced. While they offered quick solutions, these trees spread widely, creating monocultures that left little space for other life to thrive.
What is Nene Bana?
In response, Janapada Trust is transforming 10 acres into a grove of native fig trees, which act as carbon sinks, oxygen providers, and protectors of biodiversity. We call this effort ‘Nene Bana’, a forest of remembrance; a landscape designed to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. Through this grove, we are working to restore our land with trees that belong here and help other life return.
In response, Janapada Trust is transforming 10 acres into a grove of native fig trees, which act as carbon sinks, oxygen providers, and protectors of biodiversity. We call this effort ‘Nene Bana’, a forest of remembrance; a landscape designed to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. Through this grove, we are working to restore our land with trees that belong here and help other life return.
Why are fig trees important?
Fig trees, part of the Moraceae family, have evolved into over 850 unique species that can be found across rainforests, mountains, deserts, and islands. Some, like the giant banyans, grow so large that a single tree can resemble an entire forest. Figs produce fruit all year, feeding more than 1,300 species of birds and mammals, making them a ‘keystone species’ that support entire ecosystems. Animals attracted to figs disperse seeds from other plants, helping forests recover naturally and restoring diversity to the land.
Fig trees, part of the Moraceae family, have evolved into over 850 unique species that can be found across rainforests, mountains, deserts, and islands. Some, like the giant banyans, grow so large that a single tree can resemble an entire forest. Figs produce fruit all year, feeding more than 1,300 species of birds and mammals, making them a ‘keystone species’ that support entire ecosystems. Animals attracted to figs disperse seeds from other plants, helping forests recover naturally and restoring diversity to the land.
How are we restoring this land?
In Nene Bana, we have planted five indigenous fig species—Ficus amplissima, Ficus drupacea, Ficus racemosa, Ficus religiosa, and Ficus benghalensis, each 40 feet apart to give them space to grow fully. Between them, 30 other native tree species have been planted, including Acacia catechu, Albizia lebbeck, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Pongamia pinnata, Syzygium cumini, and Terminalia arjuna, to help bring variety and resilience back to the soil.
In Nene Bana, we have planted five indigenous fig species—Ficus amplissima, Ficus drupacea, Ficus racemosa, Ficus religiosa, and Ficus benghalensis, each 40 feet apart to give them space to grow fully. Between them, 30 other native tree species have been planted, including Acacia catechu, Albizia lebbeck, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Pongamia pinnata, Syzygium cumini, and Terminalia arjuna, to help bring variety and resilience back to the soil.
What impact will this grove have?
In total, about 300 fig saplings and 300 other native tree saplings now stand rooted in this land. We hope this will become the largest fig grove in the region, a carbon sink, a sanctuary for wildlife, and a living learning space for the Janapada Payana outreach programs we conduct. This grove is for the people of Melkote and for all who wish to reconnect with nature and witness the work of restoration.
In total, about 300 fig saplings and 300 other native tree saplings now stand rooted in this land. We hope this will become the largest fig grove in the region, a carbon sink, a sanctuary for wildlife, and a living learning space for the Janapada Payana outreach programs we conduct. This grove is for the people of Melkote and for all who wish to reconnect with nature and witness the work of restoration.
How can you join us?
This work is a small step towards healing our earth, but it is a step we can take together. We invite you to visit Nene Bana, where you can walk among the saplings, listen to the birds, and feel the hope these young trees carry. Let it inspire you to care for the land around you, to plant a native tree where you live, and to protect the life that depends on it. You are welcome to reach out, learn with us, and add your strength to this growing forest. Together, we can help the earth recover, one tree, one patch of land, and one caring action at a time.
This work is a small step towards healing our earth, but it is a step we can take together. We invite you to visit Nene Bana, where you can walk among the saplings, listen to the birds, and feel the hope these young trees carry. Let it inspire you to care for the land around you, to plant a native tree where you live, and to protect the life that depends on it. You are welcome to reach out, learn with us, and add your strength to this growing forest. Together, we can help the earth recover, one tree, one patch of land, and one caring action at a time.
People Who Bring Back Green |
| Gopala enjoys working and believes in living an active life. He finds joy in simple things—watching the Gandhada Gudi movie, listening to Rajkumar songs, eating chicken, and getting good sleep he finds purpose in building Nane Bana and planting trees. What drives him most is the pride of sharing healthy, affordable products from the village, knowing they truly make a difference. |  |
||
|
Ramashetty stands as a man who values simple joys — a plate of bisibele bath, laughter with friends, and the strength to share in both hardship and happiness. He is proud to be a part of this collective, which has created livelihoods for village folk and has dignity alive all year. To him, the calm and purpose of village life far outweigh the noise of the city.
|
 |
||
| Sumanas coordinates the Janapada Collective and is associated with Janapada Seva Trust. He holds a PhD in International Development from the University of Sussex. With a deep interest in development and wildlife, he brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to the work. |  |