Have you ever looked at a tree stump and wondered...
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Save the Planet!PlantProtectGrow Trees
Our plan is to help people plant and grow a billion trees in India in 25 years. Join us to make this world a greener place.
Nelda means champion in the Irish language and a person who lives by alder trees. Our founder, Vedarth Deshpande started Nelda with a mission to give back to the community of Pune and the earth. All of us at Nelda have made it our mission to plant as many trees as possible and make this world a greener place.
With that idea in mind, Project Nelda was launched in the year 2016 with a plan to help increase the green cover of Pune and help maintain the balance of urban ecosystems. Although we have been doing this for many years, the volunteers that we have are not enough if we are to make a worthwhile change. We need more people to help us and support our aim to influence the plantation of a billion trees by 2041.
Tree plantation might not be the total solution to climate change, but it surely helps create a greener and much healthier future. When you talk about tree plantation, it’s not rocket science. All you need is an expert and a knowledgeable team to get things done at the right time. And that is what Nelda can help with.
You can donate money towards Nelda’s Hanuman Tekdi project to support us. Please use the Donate Now link in the menu.
If you’d like to donate certain equipment or materials we require, you can donate in-kind as well.
Have you ever looked at a tree stump and wondered...
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Have you ever wondered how cities sustain green spaces amid...
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When was the last time you did a tree plantation...
Read MoreEvery day, trees supply us with several benefits. They provide shade, block frigid wind and rain, attract birds and wildlife, cleanse the air we breathe, reduce soil erosion, clean our water, and enhance the attractiveness of our homes and communities.
Not only are they responsible for providing us with oxygen but they also play a major role in maintaining the temperatures, air quality, and groundwater. These are just some major roles. There are many more. So when you plant even a single tree, plant, or sapling, there are many benefits, and even one sapling can help a lot when you think about the long run.
Project Nelda is not just conducting active tree plantation drives in and around Pune city but is also moving a step further to create a network of volunteers and community groups to build back the ecosystem that we once had.
Since its inception, Nelda Foundation has been working on a regular basis, all year round, not just to plant saplings but also to care for and maintain those that have already been planted or have been there for a long time.
At Nelda Foundation, our mighty volunteers see to it that as the seasons change, we make the best of it by planting trees, providing them with the suitable fertilizers, and cleaning and maintaining the area for more robust and healthier growth of these planted trees. We also make it a point to water them regularly to prevent loss of life.
Nelda is registered as a section 8 company under the Indian Companies Act that makes Nelda a registered Non-Profit Organisation. Along with this, Nelda has also completed its 12A registration and 80G registration which helps individuals and businesses with financial compliance when they donate to Nelda Foundation.
From 2001 to 2021, the Pune district lost 118ha of tree cover, equivalent to a 0.57% decrease in tree cover since 2000, and 56.2kt of CO₂e emissions. Pune city lost 8 hectares of humid primary forest between 2002 and 2021, accounting for 6.7% of the city’s overall loss of tree cover during that time. At this time, Pune’s total area of primary humid forest shrank by 0.22 percent.
One estimate states that although India’s average yearly per capita greenhouse gas emissions (also known as per capita carbon footprint) are 1.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, Maharashtra’s average is 2.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Energy generation systems, which are mostly used by cities and businesses in Maharashtra, are the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Pune, a significant urban and industrial hub in Maharashtra, is a major state producer of greenhouse gas emissions.
The yearly mean temperature and annual mean rainfall are both rising across Maharashtra as a result of climate change. In addition, the monsoon season’s rainfall pattern is shifting into a cycle of a few days of extremely heavy rain followed by hot stretches with little rain.
Even though this is a huge issue, we at Nelda believe that through our regular and yearly activities for tree plantation and tree maintenance services, we can make positive difference.
Here’s how tree plantations can help the environment and society.
Tree plantation to prevent landslides and deforestation
India has lost 40% of its natural forest cover in the last 95 years, and this is a fact. Due to this, we have seen many landslides and deforestation issues in various parts of the country. Activities like mining, urbanization & industrial expansion are some of the major reasons for clearing out trees and forests.
Cleaning out large amounts of trees can also loosen up the earth and the upper layer of soil causing soil erosions and landslides. In a country that houses millions of species of plants and animals, it’s important that we focus on rebuilding these forests within the urban populations. Not only will the plants and animals benefit from this, but so will humans.
Tree plantation for better climate conditions
A grown/mature tree is able to withdraw up to 22 kilograms of carbon per year. And looking at the air quality and increasing air pollution within the Indian ecosystem, tree planting has become the need of the hour.
These trees are not just able to better the air quality and keep it in check, but are also responsible for maintaining sustainable temperatures. According to surveys, the temperatures in India have been increasing at a faster pace. So the next time you are planting a tree, think of how your small step is actually helping this world become a better place to live in.
Tree plantation for the growth of food supplies
India is known for exporting fruits like Pomegranates, Grapes, Bananas, Mangoes, and Oranges which drive incomes worth thousands of crores each year. Each tree in India will approximately provide $10-20 USD in food and nutrition. With India still known as an agricultural country, understanding our ecosystem and planting trees that are beneficial for our environment, but also to our economy is something to think of.
I am volunteering with Nelda since last 6 months and its been a fulfilling journey. Nelda’s commitment towards protecting nature is commendable. Dreaming to plant billion trees till 2041, Nelda is moving towards it consistently. Kudos to Jeet and Shubham who are driving Nelda’s activities every weekend. I wish best luck to Nelda and thanks for making my weekends meaningful.
Its was a nice experience and it’s very thankful to Nelda foundation they give the opportunity in the filed.
