The trees must grow!

By D.C. Ranatunga

October is 'Vana Ropa' month. An island-wide programme to plant trees has been launched by the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment during the month. Since the Ministry comes under the President and with his keenness on environment, let us hope that it will be a success.

As I read about the laudable project I was reminded of a visit to Gangaramaya to meet Podi Hamuduruwo. He was seated on his usual chair at the entrance and by his side was a gunny bag full of 'kottam' seeds. I asked how and why he is collecting the seeds. 

"I pay the municipal women who sweep the road and get them to collect these for me. I take the lot to Akuressa and distribute among the people. When they grow at least the birds will enjoy the fruits," he told me. 

The Urumutta Estate in Akuressa was donated to Podi Hamuruwo over 35 years ago. In addition to tea and rubber on the estate, he planted coconut, cadju, cinnamon, jak, passion fruit and cocoa. He has a nursery from which he distributes plants free to the villagers. The nursery has become the foundation for his 'Tree Bank'. 

 

Growing a tree is fun

A lover of the environment, Podi Hamuduruwo told me that having grown up among nature in the village, growing a tree is fun. 

"It's so satisfying to see a plant grow. At the same time it can be a profitable business. I have distributed thousands of mahogany plants over the years for people to grow and earn money. Mahogany has a big demand in the world," he said. 

Even when he is going somewhere he looks at trees and would pick up any seeds or plants which can be grown. "It's a pity that we have started depending on getting down even the seeds from abroad. We don't even have a papaw seed to grow today."

Here is one who has succeeded in 'vana ropa' from whom the Ministry should get advice on how they should set about their mammoth project. He will give ample tips on the practical side. 

 

Ambitious project

Elaborating on 'Vana Ropa', the Ministry has announced that the programme will be carried out "in all public institutions with the contribution of private and Non-Government Organisations." Well and good. But whether this would be in the priority list of the private sector and NGOs is the question. 

The Ministry plan is quite an ambitious one. Increase of forest cover, increasing the quality of the forest cover, conserving the Sri Lankan biodiversity and natural echo system, utilisation of waste lands for tree planting, promotion and management of commercial forest cultivation, are among the key objectives. A week by week programme has been drawn up to implement the programme at district and division levels throughout the country. 

There is a theme for every week. 'Ensure Forest Conservation', 'Enhance greenery in human settlement', 'Promote Partnership with the non-stake holders', and 'Encourage various segments of the society to take part in creative forestation initiatives' are the four themes. Someone has done a lot of homework!

This is not the first or second time that nationwide tree planting campaigns have been launched. I remember once President Premadasa initiated a programme to grow trees and down Maya Avenue on the way to Kirulapone the pavements were dug up, pits were cut and fairly big plants were planted. The first week or two saw great care been taken by municipal employees to tend the plants. Gradually the interest died down and that was the end. I could see the interest waning away since I used to pass that way every day.

The Ministry is concerned with the declining of the forest cover and considers it as a major issue faced by Sri Lanka. The plan is to increase the current forest cover of 29% to 32% covering a further 6,000 hectares through a three-year national programme during 2016-2018. 

Since the intention is to have the 'Vana Ropa' programme every October, everyone should be able to watch the progress.

Roots in Spain

Glancing through Wikipedia one can find a heap of countries having an Arbour Day (from the Latin word 'arbor' meaning 'tree') every year and it's a public holiday in some countries. In fact, it mentions 15 November as the National Tree Planting Day in Sri Lanka.

The article traces the origin of tree planting in festival style to 1594 in the Spanish village of Mondoñedo. It mentions that the place remains as Alameda de los Remedios and it is still planted with lime and horsenut trees. It also refers to another small Spanish village of Villanueva de la Sierra where the first modern Arbor Day was launched in 1805, by the local priest with the enthusiastic support of the community.

It quotes naturalist Miguel Herrero Uceda's description of the event. It reads: “While Napoleon was ravaging Europe with his ambition in this village in the Sierra de Gata lived a priest, don Ramón Vacas Roxo, which, according to the chronicles, convinced of the importance of trees for health, hygiene, decoration, nature, environment and customs, decides to plant trees and give a festive air. The festival began on Carnival Tuesday with the ringing of two bells of the church, and the Middle and the Big. After the Mass, and even coated with church ornaments, don Ramón, accompanied by clergies, teachers and a large number of neighbours, planted the first tree, a poplar, in the place known as Valley of the Ejido. Tree plantations continued by Arroyada and Fuente de la Mora. Afterwards, there was a feast, and did not miss the dance. The party and plantations lasted three days. He drafted a manifesto in defence of the trees that was sent to surrounding towns to spread the love and respect for nature, and also he advised to make tree plantations in their localities."