Green Leaders

Eco-Brotherhood through Familial Forestry

We must be aware of the fact that the average surface temperature of the earth

has increased nearly around 0.8 degree Celsius over the last century. 2001 – 2010

was the warmest year since record began in 1880. Atmospheric CO2 growth rate

has doubled in last 50 years. About 90% of glaciers are shrinking worldwide. Every

year we lose around 5 million hectares of forest that is equal to huge decline in

biodiversity. The forests that remain are of lower quality. Replacing natural old

growth forest with a monoculture of an exotic species greatly reduces

biodiversity. When tree dies, it not only reduces the absorption of CO2 but a

dying tree releases stored carbon therefore deforestation is the second largest

Anthropogenic (Human caused) source of CO2 to the atmosphere. All these are

causing climate change.

Climate change affects individuals and groups differently certain groups such as

elderly, the infirm, children and pregnant women, native and tribal groups,

farmers and low income. Population are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

Although climate change is an inherently global issue, the impacts will not be felt

equally across the planet. some nations will likely experience more adverse

effects than others. India is among the extreme risk countries where socio-

economic impacts of climate change will be most keenly felt by 2025. Govt. is

continuously trying to build capacity to adopt climate change but no govt. can

succeed without civil engagement.

Familial Forestry is a unique idea that executes sustainable forest management

in building climate change resilience is one way of such engagement.

Familial forestry means domesticating tree at home. It directly involves family in

plantation and its care. When a house hold grows, and nurture its own forest in

and around house then the children of that house get sensitized about the

surrounding during their primary stage of socialization and it shapes them as

global greens citizens of future. Fruit’s plant at home are not only providing

nutrition but becoming a source of income also.Family gets fresh and organic

vegetables, without extra land, water and labour because these vegetables are

grown with trees. Family trees provide nesting place to birds, insects thus

increase biodiversity. Sensitization at home motivates family to think about

community forest. 65% of Indians never heard about climate change as compared

to 10% of Japanese and 40% of global average. Climate literacy and public

understanding of the local dimensions of climate change are vital for public

engagement and support climate action. Education and civil engagement are the

strongest predictors of public awareness of climate change. Being a bottom up

approach Familial forestry directly involves community thus it has been replicated

in 150000 houses from over 2600 village of desert prone north-west Rajasthan in

last one decade. Over 722000 saplings have been planted by active participation

of around one million people.

Green Leaders app will provide a common platform to all participants and would

boost Eco-brotherhood. It will lead towards green foot printing through

participatory plantation.