Trees as fulcrum for rural development - by Dr.G.Kumaravelu
Dear friends,
I have received an interesting email from The Great Dr.G.Kumaravelu,
former State Planning Commission member and former PCCF, a visionary of our
times on Sunday, 3rd February, 2013, 1:27PM. The letter is written in
his usual inimitable style, truly expressed his concern for not only farmers
but also environment and Govt. policies. I am sharing his mail (though personal) with our readers
since keeping it in my ‘inbox’ is not going to serve any purpose. I feel really
happy that we, the farmers, have these kinds of rare breeds among us with
penchant for ‘upliftment of farmers’.
The letter:
The letter:
"It is high time that the Governments mandate through their
Industrial policy that at least 33% of Industries in the states to be
established in future should use BIOTIC RAW MATERIAL like herbs, shrubs and
Trees than ABIOTIC.
Now if you introspect, the fact that more than 90% of industries
existing are using metals, chemicals and minerals like stones, sand, lime etc. The
more affluent the society becomes, it becomes more effluents ridden. This
causes more pollution for which we are scratching our brain to find appropriate
solution and what is worse is that this malady remedy dilemma gets perpetuated. If trees are tailored
for specific end use and through appropriate post harvest technology, full
tree utilization is achieved. We can certainly make them to exemplify as fulcrum
for rural development.
We should take into consideration the carbon footprint and the
water foot prints in the choice of species. The govt should encourage (apart
from the present encouragement given to paper pulp), non-effluent industries
like veneer, plywood, particleboard, compressed wood, MDF (Medium density fibre
board), furniture and construction wood fabrication units.
Apart from the above, encouragement should be also given to de-centralized
electric power production units which adopt gassifier technology. The resultant
bio-char can be impregnated with cow urine and beneficial microorganisms like
azospirillum, phosphobacteria, psudomonas, Trichoderma viridi, VAM Etc.,. Application
of this enriched biochar in the field will enhance the productive potential of
our dead and desiccated soils which are deprived of essential nutrients,
lost through leaching.
I had proposed COGENERATION OF FOOD WITH WOOD, when I was in
planning commission. I am glad to see that the programme of ‘TREE CULTIVATION
IN PRIVATE LANDS (TCPL)’ started by me while in service had picked up. I am
aware that much more have to be done in this. Enthusiastic tree lovers and
cultivators like you should be given more opportunity to contribute more. I
wish more role for the members of tree growers association in govt programmes.
I am presently concentrating on screening best phenotypes of Melia dubia suitable
for acid soils to alkaline soils. I am more concerned with the steady raise of
TDS (Total dissolved Solids) in the bore-well waters of TN. My own farm bore well water has more
than 4000 TDS. Less than 500 is desired for trees. I have one Melia dubia grown
to 125 cm gbh in 4000 TDS WATER in 7.5 yrs in my farm which had been cloned. We
have to screen and select plus trees for problem soils and water.
I AM NOW
CONCENTRATING ON SELECTION AND SCREENING OF SUITABLE FAST WOOD SPECIES AND
PHENOTYPES THAT ARE FIT FOR BUND PLANTING SUITABLE FOR VENEER. That can give
more profit for farmers. ..one final good news. I had selected one phenotype of
Melia dubia which has grown to 8 mts ht with 25 cm gbh in 6 months after
planting.....I am cloning that....THAT IS HOW WE CAN MAKE TREES TO EXEMPLIFY AS
A FULCRUM FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT...i am dabbling with two more species which
will give more profit ....Let us try our best.
I CONGRATULATE YOU AND THROUGH
YOU ALL THE TREE LOVERS. LATER I WILL WRITE TO YOU HOW WE CAN ENPOWER AGRI
ECOSYSTEM THROUGH TREE PLANTING".
WITH WISHES,
DR.G.KUMARAVEL.
Shared to farmers, scientists, environmentalists and policy makers by,
A.Vishnu Sankar.
