How Many Saplings Have Been Planted Under the Cauvery Calling Movement?

Synopsis
Discover how the Cauvery Calling initiative is transforming the landscape of India by planting over 12 crore saplings, empowering farmers and rejuvenating the environment. Join the movement towards sustainable agriculture and ecological restoration.
Key Takeaways
- Over 12.2 crore saplings planted to date.
- Supports 2.38 lakh farmers.
- Focus on soil regeneration through tree-based agriculture.
- Recognized as the world’s largest farmer-driven ecological initiative.
- Significant events held on World Environment Day and other notable dates.
Bengaluru, June 5 (NationPress) Conceived by Sadhguru, the Cauvery Calling initiative has facilitated the planting of 1.36 crore saplings over 34,000 acres in the Cauvery basin during the period of 2024-25. To date, an impressive total of 12.2 crore saplings have been planted, benefiting 2.38 lakh farmers in their transition to tree-based agriculture, as reported by the Isha Foundation on Thursday.
In the past year alone, a remarkable 50,931 farmers and community members took part in this extensive ecological initiative, according to the Isha Foundation's statement.
Anand Ethirajalu, Project Director of Cauvery Calling and representative of the Save Soil movement, underscored the critical need for soil regeneration, a central aim of the initiative.
He noted, “One of the primary issues we advocated for during the recent Climate Change Conference, ‘COP29 summit’ of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and COP16 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is that less than 4 percent of global climate funding is directed towards agriculture and food systems.”
“We emphasized this point because climate change cannot be resolved in the atmosphere alone; it requires action in the soil. Prioritizing and investing in soil regeneration through tree-based agriculture is imperative, and that is precisely what we are doing,” Anand Ethirajalu stated.
Cauvery Calling stands as the world’s largest farmer-led ecological initiative and a pioneering eco-restoration project with the potential to transform tropical areas. Recognized as a Top Innovator by the Trillion Trees: India Challenge, the movement aims to revitalize the Cauvery River—a crucial water source for 8.4 crore people—while boosting farmers’ revenues by enabling the planting of 242 crore trees on private lands, according to the statement.
Sadhguru previously stated, “Cauvery Calling will show the world that it is feasible to restore degraded land through planned and strategic actions. Everyone reliant on soil and water should join this movement. Let’s make it happen.”
In 2024, on significant days such as World Environment Day (June 5), Van Mahotsav Week (July 1–7), Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), and World Soil Day (December 5), a total of 506 plantation events were held, resulting in the planting of 10 lakh saplings.