Children should get their hands dirty and learn how native trees can bring about good health and happiness, says Environmentalist M Yoganathan

Did you know that Azhinjal, a native tree of Tamil Nadu yields seeds that can be used as soap? “These are natural and organic cleansing agents. You just have to soak them in water to get them foaming and they can safely be used as soap,” says environmentalist M Yoganathan. At his nursery, Maram Soolalayil Naduvam (A get together under the tree) that opens to the public today, on World Environment Day, he will grow and nurture some of the forgotten native species. He is keen to teach children about them.

It is not just about mindless greening, he says. “These trees are health giving. For example, the cool breeze of the Pungan ( beech) makes one feel energetic and happy; Iluppai (mahua)is good to bring the rains; and the Naatuvangam ( false Ashoka) filters dust and controls pollution. It is therefore especially suited for textile machinery units.”The bus-conductor who is first and foremost an environmentalist wants to bring these trees back into the cityscape. He himself has planted over three lakh saplings across the 32 districts of Tamil Nadu in the last 30 years. “Opening a nursery is a 33-year-old dream-come-true for me. I am thankful to Mr. R. Vasudevan who has given 3.5 acres of his land near Aalandurai, about 17 kms from Coimbatore city, to set it up. Mr. S. Prabhu offered to dig the borewell to maintain the water supply,” he adds.

Inauguration S. Jeyachandran of Tamil Nadu Green Movement will inaugurate the Maram Soolalyil Naduvam nursery on World Environment Day. There will be talks by environmentalists

June 5; 10.00 am

@ Ramanathapuram, Opposite Government High School, Siruvani Road, Aalandurai

At the nursery, saplings will be given away free.

To know more, call : 94430-91398/ 98949-61803

Working with children has been extra special, says Yoganathan. He has visited over 3,000 schools across the state to organise tree planting and environmental awareness programmes. “There are children who are not even aware of how and from where their food comes from. It's a pity that they haven't seen any paddy fields. They haven't heard of the native trees,” he laments. At the nursery, he plans to hold workshops for both children and adults. “It will start with two hours of mann vilayaatu where the children get their hands dirty with soil. They will learn about organic farming, about water sources, vermicomposting, selecting quality seed, and how to how prepare the mother bed to grow saplings...”. The nursery will also have 100 varieties of herbal plants. Along with awareness on trees, the rich bio-diversity and the life forms they support, children will learn about terrace gardening, and creating ornamental flower gardens. “Line boulevards with the vengai (Malabar kino), that has a huge canopy. Or plant more marudhu (Arjun tree), sorga maram (paradise tree), aala maram (banyan), arasa maram (peepal), athithi maram (fig)...These trees that offer untold benefits to people and the environment.”