Banyan Tree

The Banyan tree holds widespread recognition among all. It stands as one of the most remarkable trees, revered for its immense religious and cultural significance. The tree’s broad leaves proudly display visible veins, adding to its visual appeal. As the tree grows, it develops aerial roots that gracefully descend to the ground, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of hundreds of roots emanating from the tree trunk. Originating from India, this ancient tree has graced the land for countless centuries.

Furthermore, the Banyan tree, thriving in its natural habitat, can reach towering heights of up to 100 feet with an equally impressive spread. Its dense foliage and abundant branches provide sanctuary and shade to a multitude of animals and birds, enduring even in full sunlight. The tree showcases numerous varieties, adorned with leaves in shades of green, golden, and variegated patterns.

Moreover, the Banyan tree plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, fixing substantial amounts of carbon. A single tree alone can sequester up to 5 metric tons of carbon over 20 years. The fruits produced by the tree serve as a source of nourishment for birds and animals, aiding in the dispersal of seeds and contributing to the tree’s widespread propagation.

Furthermore, the Banyan tree serves as a habitat for monkeys, birds, animals, and rodents, fostering their presence and multiplication in significant numbers. The tree’s extensive shade offers respite from the sun’s intensity, effectively reducing ground temperatures. Due to its vital role in the environment, planting the Banyan tree in large numbers becomes an essential undertaking to ensure its preservation and maximize its benefits.

Impact in Numbers 

Carbon Fixed  4000 Kgs.

CO₂ reduction from the atmosphere by 14600 Kgs.

Tree Dimensions on Maturity

Maximum height of the tree (m)	25
Tree canopy spread (m)	50
Tree trunk diameter (inches)	100

 

Value to the environment

A banyan tree is a safe place for birds and animals. It provides oxygen and fixes carbon in large quantities. The evaporation is reduced in the shade. Moreover, banyan trees can fix 5 MT of carbon in 20 year period. 

Plant a Banyan Tree: About the Project 

Once we distribute saplings to the farmers, they actively receive comprehensive technical knowledge to successfully cultivate them. This long-term initiative provides continuous support to the farmers for 3 years, ensuring assistance throughout the journey. Farmers are encouraged to become part of a group, where they receive detailed explanations about the benefits they can expect from growing these trees. The trees are a valuable component of the set provided to the farmers, strategically aimed at enhancing their economic status. Additionally, by nurturing these trees, farmers have the opportunity to improve their livelihoods and likewise achieve greater financial stability.

Technology

The project involves actively geotagging the trees to precisely track their locations. GPS technology is utilized to mark the area boundary, ensuring accurate demarcation. Farmer details, along with corresponding images, are meticulously captured to maintain a comprehensive record. Finally, all the data, including geotagging, farmer information, and images, is efficiently collected and stored directly from the field through dedicated mobile apps.

Additionally, the project calculates the yearly carbon fixation by utilizing expert-developed equations specific to different tree species within the app. Therefore, these calculations are integrated into detailed reports, providing a comprehensive understanding of the carbon sequestration process. Throughout the entire data collection, storage, and analysis process, the project upholds total transparency, ensuring reliability and integrity. This commitment to transparency eventually guarantees the accuracy of the data and allows for informed decision-making and analysis.

Impact assessment

During the project, we actively measure the impact it creates for both wildlife and farmers. Data is captured at regular intervals, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the project’s effects. This data is then analyzed by comparing it with the previous data collected on the same parameters a few months ago. The observed changes are meticulously measured against the planned results, allowing for a thorough evaluation of progress and effectiveness. This systematic approach especially provides valuable insights into the project’s performance and enables necessary adjustments to be made to achieve the desired outcomes.

Reports

The project team actively prepares comprehensive reports and promptly sends them to the contributors. These reports encompass crucial information, providing a detailed overview of the project’s progress and outcomes. The report covers the following key aspects:

1. The current status of the trees is based on the most recent visit.
2. Any instances of tree mortality within the planted area, enabling effective monitoring of tree health.
3. The amount of carbon fixed in metric tons (MT) since the inception of the project.
4. The economic impact on the farmers, assessing how the project has positively influenced their financial well-being.
5. The ecological impact created by the project showcases its contributions to the local ecosystem.

Additionally, these reports serve as valuable resources for the contributors, ensuring transparency and accountability. By providing comprehensive insights into tree status, carbon fixation, economic implications, and ecological benefits, the project reports conversely facilitate informed decision-making and foster continued support and engagement from the contributors.