Church of Ceylon to plant 20,000 trees

Trees will provide shade for us to walk under, especially during the warmer March to September period. Each tree is worth a few air-conditioners. Is it possible for us to develop more parks with trees and to grow small jungles (ecosystems) in our cities rather than urban-heat producing concrete jungles?

By Dr. Kumar Abraham

‘Plant Trees, Plant Life’ is a program of the Church of Ceylon, Diocese of Colombo to plant 20,000 trees and to bring awareness in protecting our environment. Before our scientists or environmentalists ever thought of climate change or global warming, at the dawn of creation, God who created the Universe and our beautiful planet said, “I make you trustees of my estate, so care for my creation” (Gen. 1:28 TVT). 

Development and environment

World leaders, including Sri Lanka’s, are under pressure to see ‘development and progress’ take place in their countries. Development leads to prosperity for the poor and the rich. Development in Colombo is very visible these days with skyscrapers mushrooming everywhere and an increase of cars and three-wheelers on our roads. These buildings, vehicles, and other human products leave a massive carbon footprint on our country. According to the Department of Motor Traffic all types of vehicles in 2007 – 3,125,794; and in 2017 – 7,247,122, a 131% increase in 11 years!

The effects of increasing car sales can be mitigated through increasing trees in the cities that can absorb much of the carbon dioxide. We could also design buildings with vertical gardens, also being called, plant-scrapers! When the Road Development Authority (RDA) and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) plan for new roads or do road widening, they could make allowance to line these roads with trees. At present, some people open their doors on to the pavement or to the road with no room for trees to be planted. 

Trees will provide shade for us to walk under, especially during the warmer March to September period. Each tree is worth a few air-conditioners. Is it possible for us to develop more parks with trees and to grow small jungles (ecosystems) in our cities rather than urban-heat producing concrete jungles? We can learn from tiny Singapore. They have scores of parks, a botanical garden, catchment areas, ranger stations, nature reserves, forest parks, wetland reserves and even mini jungles in their tiny city state. Singapore because of land reclamation, at present is 721.5 sq. km and Colombo is 699 sq. km.

Who wants Colombo, Kandy and our other cities to become unliveable smog cities like Beijing, New Delhi and now Bangkok, where you do not see sunlight or the blue sky at times? Who wants to live with face masks on, hoping we and our children can escape respiratory illnesses? We the citizens must rally round to find some answers before it is too late. 

We all agree, we have been blessed with a paradise-like country. This is where we were born and have lived. It is our responsibility to leave it behind in better shape environmentally than when we were first born. Most of the basic necessities of life – air, sleep, play, (clean healthy) laughter, and friendships – are all free and available even to the poor. 

We need to encourage and challenge today’s youth to get involved, so that they will take up the baton to care for creation, becoming aware of environmental needs: some becoming environmentalists – preservers of our planet, refereeing ‘development projects’ as we frantically rush towards ‘development and progress’ in our race to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to raise up children, youth, families and a society with character and convictions. People who can lead and govern our country making decisions with an eye on the generations to come. People who think of the community first and not personal comfort. 

The Plant Trees, Plant Life program of the Church of Ceylon, Diocese of Colombo will be planting native trees, that will be good for our soil and for animals and birds habitant to this region, such as mee, hora, davata, kumbuk, keena and fruit trees such as jack and tamarind, flowering trees, among others.

People with evil intentions wished to sow fear and disrupt society though the Easter Sunday attacks. While dealing with our emotions and sadness, we can use this opportunity to bring healing and build resilience in our nation. Please visit us on Facebook: PlantTreesPlantLife and like us!

Where and when will we plant? At Urumiwalla Estate, Bulathkohupitiya, Kegalle District, approximately 85 km from Colombo, on Saturday, 14 September (Friday is a Poya Day). We are encouraging families and fraternity groups to come and make a memory of a lifetime. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Colombo or wherever you live and breathe some fresh air. It is heartening to note the many articles appearing in newspapers on the environment and people of various religions taking on the baton.