The Cauvery Calling movement, launched by Sadhguru, aims to rejuvenate the Cauvery River and improve farmer livelihoods through tree-based agriculture. In the financial year 2024-25, the initiative has successfully planted 1.36 crore saplings, bringing the total to an impressive 12.2 crore. This effort supports 2.38 lakh farmers, helping them shift from traditional farming to sustainable practices.
The movement covers a vast area of 34,000 acres in the Cauvery River basin. It promotes tree-based agriculture, which enhances soil health and boosts water retention. This is crucial for maintaining the river’s flow, which supports over 8.4 crore people in southern India.
Anand Ethirajalu, the project director, stresses the importance of focusing on soil regeneration. He argues that addressing climate change requires investment in the soil, not just in the air. The initiative has been recognized as a Top Innovator by the Trillion Trees: India Challenge for its significant contributions to ecological restoration.
With a goal of planting 242 crore trees on private farmland, Cauvery Calling is set to transform the agricultural landscape of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The movement mobilizes volunteers and local communities, with over 50,000 participants joining in the past year alone.
Key to the success of Cauvery Calling is its extensive nursery network. The Cuddalore nursery, one of the largest single-site nurseries in the world, is run entirely by women and produces 85 lakh saplings each year. Another nursery in Thiruvannamalai adds 15 lakh saplings annually. These nurseries provide saplings to 50 distribution centres across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Farmers can purchase saplings of 29 timber species, such as Teak and Mahogany, at a subsidized cost of Rs. 3 each.
The initiative empowers farmers by involving them as partners in this ecological effort. Many farmers operate sapling nurseries and assist in distributing saplings to their communities. Additionally, over 160 trained field officers visit farmlands to guide farmers on suitable tree species based on soil type, water availability, and income potential.
In 2024, the Cauvery Calling movement also organized two mega training programs and six zonal workshops. Experts from top agricultural institutions trained over 8,700 farmers on tree-based agriculture. The movement held plantation drives on significant dates, including World Environment Day and Gandhi Jayanti, resulting in the planting of 10 lakh saplings.
Cauvery Calling is not just about planting trees; it is about restoring the environment and improving the lives of farmers. By promoting sustainable practices, the movement aims to create a greener future for everyone.