HEM SHEELA MODEL

SCHOOL

SESSION : 2024 – 2025

SEWA PROJECT FILE

TOPIC : Awareness and Planting

Native Plants/Trees in Drought
prone Areas

1|Page
 INDEX

Particulars Page Number

Team Member’s 03
List
Acknowledgement 04

Main Project 05
Body
Conclusion 15

Thank You Page 16

2|Page
TEAM MEMBER’S LIST :-

NAME ROLL
NUMBER
ABHI BANERJEE 01
ARCHISA SAMANTA 06
GOIRIK 11
BHOWMICK
RANIT NANDI 19
SAYANTAN SADHU 25
SOUMYA BANERJEE 32
SWASTIK NAYAK 38

3|Page
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The success and final outcome of this project titled “SEWA PROJECT”,
required a lot of guidance and assistance from many people and I am
extremely fortunate to have got this all along the completion of my
project work. Whatever I have done is only due to such guidance and
assistance and I would not forget to thank them.

I respect and thank our class teacher Mr. Pramit Pal, for giving me an
opportunity to do this project work and providing us all support and
guidance which made me complete the project on time.

Last but not the least I would like to thank all my friends who
supported me all the way and my parents who helped me financially
and encouraged me throughout in the completion of project.

4|Page
 PURPOSE
The sole purpose of this project is to raise awareness on the heavily
declining population of trees and planting native plants trees in
draught prone areas.

OJECTIVES :
• A single mature, leafy tree can absorb up to 450 litres of water
through its roots every day, as well as capturing rain water on the
surface of its leaves. Their roots also reduce soil erosion in the
ground and slow the filtration of water into our cities drainage
networks. This is particularly important in cities where a large
proportion of the grounds surface is made up of impermeable
materials, like tarmac and concrete. When we get a sudden
downpour, this can quickly cause flash flooding if the water has
nowhere to go.

• As well as absorbing water, trees also release it as water vapour

through evapotranspiration from their leaves, which produces a
cooling effect. They also provide shade for the ground and
buildings, resulting in further cooling and less energy usage. The
overall cooling effect of a single, mature tree an average is
equivalent to 10 air conditioning units running for 20 hours in a day.
This cooling helps against the urban heat island effect which can
cause temperatures in a city to be 7 degrees higher on average.

• It’s not all about the physical environment; trees also help us with
our ability to cope mentally with life in an artificial urban
environment. Being around nature, specifically trees, has been
shown to reduce the levels of cortisol in our brains. This is otherwise
known as the stress hormone, and lowering it can help to reduce
the symptoms of anxiety and stress. We are also more likely to
leave our homes, go outside and exercise if there are lovely,
welcoming trees and green spaces.
5|Page
• Urban sprawl is taking over. Eighty percent of us are now living in
urbanised environments and there are no signs of this slowing
down. It is projected that the increase in urbanisation along with
expected overall global population growth, there could be another
2.5 billion people in urban populations by the year 2050.

• Trees help to improve air quality by intercepting and trapping dust

and other pollutants from the air. The shade of trees also provides
a useful barrier to harmful ultra-violet radiation from the sun. But
it’s not just our physical health that benefits, our mental health
does too. When surrounded by trees or taking part in nature-based
activities, stress and depression levels can be significantly reduced.

Saving trees also saves water Trees are the ultimate air filter !

6|Page
 CURRENT LAWS REGARDING
THE SAFETY OF NATIVE PLANTS
AND TREES
1. The Indian Forest Act of 1927:- It was enacted to protect
Indian forests. The Indian Forest Act of 1927 establishes a legal
structure for forest management in India. It is the most
important piece of forestry legislation. The aim of this piece of
legislation is to make sure that:
• Consolidation and maintenance of forest-covered areas
• Wildlife management in forest areas
• Control the movement of forest resources
• Impose a tax on timber and other natural resources, as well as
other forest products
• Categorization of areas into Reserved Forests, Protected
Forests, and Village Forests.

2. The Forest Conservation Act of 1980:- It prohibits the use of

forest land for non-forestry purposes. All demands and
proposals to use forest land for development and infrastructure
building, such as providing drinking water, irrigation projects,
transmission lines, railways, electricity, defense, and mining, are
enforced by the State government. The Forest Conservation Act
of 1980 stipulated that in order to practice sustainable
agroforestry in forest areas, central permission are required.
Violations or the absence of a permit is considered criminal
offences.

7|Page
MAJOR MOVEMENTS ON PREVENT
CUTTING OF NATIVE PLANTS

1. Bishnoi Movement :- In Khejarli, the Marwar Region of

Rajasthan order was made by authorities for cutting of trees in
the year 1700. Amrita Devi couldn’t stand witnessing such
exploitation of the floral ecosystem. She hugged the trees to
fight deforestation and encouraged others to do the same. This
migration resulted in the deaths of about 360 Bishnoi residents.

2. Chipko Movement :- A quarter-century had passed after a

group of women in the Reni forests of the Garhwal Himalaya
successfully chased away timber felling contractors on March 26,
1999. It was a non-political movement that emerged for the
protection of trees. It also aimed to secure long-term economic
well-being by preserving fuel and fodder, as well as preventing
landslides and the disappearance of springs. This case became a
watershed moment in the evolution of the world-famous the
Chipko movement over time.

3. Jungle Bachao Andolan :- In 1982, the state government of

Bihar intended to replace natural Sal forests with expensive
teakwood trees in the Singhbhum district. Singhbhum’s tribals
disputed the decision. Many environmentalists dubbed the
movement ‘Greed Game Political Populism.’ It eventually
expanded to Jharkhand and Odisha.

8|Page
 WHY USE NATIVE PLANTS ?
A native (indigenous) species is one that occurs in a particular region,
ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions.

• Native gardens will provide the look of ‘Natural landscapes,’ a

systematic growth of wild plants creating an urban green zone.
• Native gardening is a form of ecologically sustainable
development.
• A native garden will naturally blend in with local biodiversity. It
will be a paradise for local butterflies, birds & other small
garden creatures that make the garden alive in a real sense.
• The native garden looks aesthetically appealing because of the
use of naturalistic forms, colours & textures.
• Native gardens require very little or no maintenance. Native
ornamental plants will survive well in less water; no fertilizers &
most plants will not catch any major disease or pest.
• Native gardening will spread the message of nature
conservation & will create the awareness among general public.
It will educate people about the local flora & its importance.

Some native
Indian fruits and
plants

9|Page
 IMPORTANCE OF NATIVE PLANTS
IN DROUGHT PRONE AREAS
Native plants provide food and habitats for native insects, birds, and
other creatures, allowing gardeners to support local ecosystems.
Native plants are popular and with good reason, they are well-suited
to their native environments and many species are quite beautiful.

Native plants grow where they do because they have adapted to those
specific environmental conditions. For example, some plants will only
germinate seeds in bare, mineral soil. A thick layer of pine straw or
leaf litter on the surface of the soil will prevent the seeds of these
species from germinating. Some upland species require alkaline soil,
rocky soils, or rock crevices in which to attach their roots. Many native
plants have evolved to thrive in very specific areas called “ecological
niches” and will not grow and reproduce in cultivated landscapes as
well as they do in their native habitat. Others thrive in a much wider
range of environments.
Other importances include the following:

1. Water retention: Trees can help improve soil water retention

by reducing water runoff and increasing infiltration. Their roots
can absorb and store water, which helps to maintain soil
moisture levels during dry periods.
2. Preventing soil erosion: Trees play a crucial role in preventing
soil erosion, which is common in drought-prone areas. The roots
of trees help bind the soil together, reducing the risk of erosion
caused by wind or water.
3. Microclimate regulation: Trees provide shade and help create
a microclimate that is cooler and more humid than the
surrounding areas. This can help mitigate the effects of drought
by reducing temperatures and increasing humidity, creating a
more favorable environment for plants and wildlife.

10 | P a g e
4. Biodiversity conservation: Trees are essential for supporting
biodiversity in ecosystems. By planting trees in drought-prone
areas, we can create habitats for a variety of plant and animal
species, contributing to the overall health and resilience of the
ecosystem.
5. Carbon sequestration: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere and store carbon in their biomass. By planting more
trees, especially in areas prone to drought, we can help mitigate
climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.

Some Drought Resistant Plants native to India are given as

follows :

ALOE VERA BOUGAINVILLEA BASIL (TULSI)

LEMONGRASS LAVENDER NEEM

ROSEMARY THYME SAGE

11 | P a g e
 WHY INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES
ARE HARMFUL FOR THE NATIVE ONES ?
Invasive alien plant species may negatively affect the biological
diversity of co-occurring native species, decrease the quality of
invaded habitats, and even change the functioning of entire
ecosystems. These impacts can be induced or limited by various
accompanying factors, such as climate change, and their scale may
change over time and space, which contributes to difficulties in
generalisations.
It is also known that biological invasions of alien plants have major
impacts upon the human economy, including agricultural crops.
Despite this, some crucial aspects of this phenomenon have rarely
been investigated. For instance, it has been demonstrated that alien
plants that are attractive to pollinators may significantly influence
plant–pollinator interactions in invaded areas.
However, based on the studies available, it cannot be unequivocally
concluded whether this is negative or positive (beneficial). For
example, invasive alien Impatiens species may lure and co-opt
pollinators of strawberries, whereas alien species occurring within
fields of sunflowers may enhance the productivity of this crop.

12 | P a g e
 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF
GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS?
1. Lower Care & Greater Health and Resilience: Locally-native
plants are adapted to the conditions in your particular area, which
can include factors such as climate (temperature, rainfall, wind,
humidity, and seasonal changes in all of these) soil type, and
topography / drainage. Although adaptation to the specific
conditions of your garden is important (soil type, lighting
conditions, microclimate, and existing plants), in general, native
plants will be better adapted and more resilient in the long-run,
requiring less care.

2. Ecological Benefits : The practical and human benefits of growing

native plants are only one side of the coin; there are also immense
benefits to the surrounding ecosystem, which include benefits both
to plant and animal populations. Plants co-evolve with insects and
higher animals, which have adapted to eat the particular plants
native to their ranges. When you grow non-native plants, there will
be fewer insects and other animals that can eat them.

3. A Source to Reseed and Strengthen Local Plant Populations:

Growing native plants doesn’t stop at supporting animal life, it also
directly helps support populations of plants in the wild. Your garden
doesn’t exist in a vacuum…the seeds produced by plants in your
garden can be distributed far and wide. Wind-dispersed seeds can
blow very far in strong winds, and birds and other animals can eat
fruit and then fly away, passing the seeds through their digestive
tract to germinate elsewhere. Birds and other animals can gather
seeds from your garden and store seeds for the winter, forgetting
about some of them, which will later grow into plants.

13 | P a g e
 INSPIRATION
Raising awareness and planting more native plants/trees in
drought prone areas requires a clear vision and inspiration.
Here are some inspirations and sources of our project.

• Over the past decade, there has been a renewed interest in

native landscaping. These plants are naturally adapted to our
soils and climates. If properly sited, they require less care, have
fewer problems, and create habitat and year-round beauty. A
prairie habitat attracts many different forms of wildlife, including
birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
• There is a paradigm shift happening on what is considered
appealing in the landscape. Not only what is attractive, but what
is acceptable to have in your landscape. More and more people
are moving away from the traditional lawn by replacing them
with vibrant landscapes of diverse wildflowers, grasses, trees
and shrubs. Often we start growing a prairie landscape for what
it does for us. However, the special beauty these plants provide
will attract a host of other admirers, including our neighbours.
• The root systems of native plants are vital to soil and water
conservation. Grasses such as big bluestem and switchgrass have
fibrous deep reaching roots that hold soil tightly, keeping it from
eroding into waterways. A dense, thick prairie of grasses and
wildflowers will slow the movement of water, allowing more to
infiltrate the soil too. Those deep roots also tap into moisture
during dry periods. Drought resistant plants require little if any
supplemental water which saves you money in the long run.

14 | P a g e
 CONCLUSION
Planting more trees in drought-prone areas can bring several benefits
and help address challenges associated with drought . Overall,
planting more trees in drought-prone areas can contribute to
ecosystem resilience, support biodiversity, mitigate climate change,
and improve the livelihoods of local communities. It is an important
strategy for sustainable land management and adaptation to a
changing climate.

15 | P a g e
THANK YOU !

16 | P a g e