How a cooperative conserved rainwater to grow a forest in a drought-prone Dharmapuri of Tamil Nadu

#Waterconservation #Watersecurity #Climatechange
A cooperative in drought-prone Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu has shown that growing a forest and rainwater harvesting can be a profitable business and generate livelihood. This is a 250-acres green patch with a number of rainwater harvesting structures spread across the area. Piyush Manush, an environmental activist from Tamil Nadu is the man behind this innovative and enterprising idea. The primary objective of this forest is not only to demonstrate that afforestation can be a decent source of income but also a sustainable and eco-friendly way of living. The forest has over a lakh (.1 million) bamboo and Aloe Vera plants which is used commercially. There are also different varieties of fruit trees which provide seasonal revenue. The forest is also responsible for groundwater recharge in the vicinity and has improved the water table in the area.

[@prasenjeet7312]

30 variety planted. 100 came on their own. When we give to nature, nature gives us back much more.

[@seemarawal5717]

What a lovely comment ,ve heard this thought before but still loved it and this is a very good video ,seeing it second time around ,can watch it many more times.

[@sumerianb4045]

True

[@slipknot95maggot]

On a scale of one to 'get a life', how lame am I for almost tearing up when they said that......................?

[@Mediumal]

Wise words indeed. Work in harmony and intelligence with Nature and it will reward us back many times over. Act stupidly and it will punish us big time. Ask any American farmer or their descendants who remember the period of the Dust Bowl on the mid-Western prairies of the USA or Canada in the 1930s. A man-made cataclysmic environmental tragedy that caused wholesale misery for thousands. Read John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath". A wonderful poignant tale set in those times, and what incredible trauma it caused a whole community. Ignorance, especially of ourselves and our place in the natural order of things, is the enemy of life, prosperity and reason.

[@vijayshankar7110]

Its called pollinisation

[@Max6850]

There are People who talk about Climate change and deforestation and collects funds just to talk. and Then We have Mr. Piyush who brings the Change.

[@Consciouscap]

Where is greta ?

[@tattttu9]

Everyone is needed.

[@Jaze2022]

@Paramdeep Grewal haha and telling us "how dare you". Mr Piyush walks the talk

[@suttralamdotcom4824]

Piyush is the biggest cheater of all . . Water he stopped is belongs to the nearby village . Water that he blocked never went to sea.it was recharging nearby village land water ..he collected money from SCF people people and created a supply chain for this furniture business ..

[@anna-lenameijer9942]

Both are needed: the talker is needed to rise awareness; they are like loud speakers. The doers come after with their enthusiasm

[@DeonBraun]

I love this. It's convinced me I need to stop procrastinating and start digging a rain catchment pond in my suburban property in Durban, South Africa, to create a small wetland! That ecosystem will be perfect for crops like taro and the beautiful lotus, as well as wildlife. Water is Life. Treat it with respect like a friend or family member, and it will stay close and repay you with more than you will ever need. See how water has already blessed Piyush Manush and many collaborators for their hard work.

[@bharathvasi1249]

Yes first thing is water, it can be harvested just about anywhere with new knowledge, good luck.

[@vasa6781]

Its heartening to see that people are taking inspiration and following this technique to keep our ecosystem alive.

[@jakeryker546]

Then go do it.

[@RpTxNiGHTMARE]

update us how it goes, interested to see if you can persuade your locals.

[@jimwilleford6140]

Deon Braun Yes. If each of us just do something consciously, we can change the planet

[@sabrinawanderer7560]

Wow i'm in love with this place😍😍😍 I love India! Love from Philippines.😱

[@ninjastorm1662]

Sab Sab love Philippines from Tamil nadu , india

[@Hbjbsisbehsbsj]

@@ninjastorm1662 Also from Bihar ❤️

[@jeeva5360]

❤️

[@RAHUL-re7he]

Tamil nadu is my favourite state in south , Lot of love and respect from Rajasthan

[@w3ap0nxi48]

Thanks and piyush was born in rajasthan and settled in tamilnadu.

[@nithyanandank4159]

Good hearted people are always welcome, from tamilnadu..

[@krishnaanhsirk2114]

@@w3ap0nxi48 He is support for NTK party!!!!

[@saiprasad1413]

Two key takeaways: 1. Sustainable conservation with a tangible profit motive 2. Not relying on the government for all your solutions.

[@juliancepedamasmelacoop985]

Of course the government supports these initiatives, why do you think it has this publicity?

[@hardwareful]

@@juliancepedamasmelacoop985 that's not mutually exclusive, but local or non-governmental initiatives (which exist and make a substantial contribution) are simply relevant. In other countries, governmental inertia is one of the key factors hindering such projects.

[@anandsharma7430]

@@juliancepedamasmelacoop985 A simple google search shows how Piyush Manush has been harassed by govt - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piyush_Manush In India, people wrongly prosecuted by the govt also get publicity due to support from opposition.

[@nzeribejoshua1061]

This is so inspiring. Developing countries must realise that its sons and daughters have the capability to address its challenges! Welldone guys!

[@MasterKenfucius]

Plant a lot of fruit trees and you'll have a ton of wildlife move into that forest as well.

[@LiLBitsDK]

and fruits to eat and sell = more profit to expand this wonderful forest

[@cv4600]

Then greed will come

[@minglim70]

@@cv4600 lol. Circle of life😅

[@kristinebailey2804]

@@cv4600 Negative Nellie.

[@BudgetCarnivore]

@@cv4600 i don't think so. In this case

[@25.mahimakashyap65]

More than half of the population of India is busy blaming the government for its incompetence but we as citizens fail to understand the power we hold,we aren’t ready to take a single step towards progression of our nation and here is Mr.Piyush being an epitome of an ideal citizen.

[@teejayman215]

If half the population of India planted 5 trees a year and picked up trash, India would transform

[@JM-yf3ol]

Congratulations Payush from the United Kingdom. I really hope this takes off all over Tamil Nadu ... and the world !

[@brooksanderson2599]

Respect for what you have accomplished. Deeds, NOT just words!. Also, thank you for the English translation. It makes your work understandable to many people in drought-prone regions like ours!. ¡Saludos desde Mexico! :-)

[@kam70111]

"O" Baba, complete of South Asia needs you not just a corner of Tamil Nadu. Honestly, everyone has to get their act together.

[@jimwilleford6140]

This is what the World’s people need to be educated to, imho.

[@Nathouuuutheone]

And with big water retention, rain can become more regular! Climate change has a bunch of feedback loops, but saving the planet can also use feedback loops. I love it.

[@kellyrodgers9326]

Magnificent! Mr Manush, you have created a wonderful project and example to us all. Keep it up! You are an inspiration my friend. Helping our planet and reducing poverty at the same time. Thank-you.

[@roshnisingh3183]

This is the example of how one man's initiative can change the world .

[@rajeswaransivasankar3441]

Great efforts by Piyush Manush.. Hats-off to the single man and the support from his family as well as friends!👍🏻

[@seemabshakeel5690]

i was looming fot his full name. Can't find it in the video. thank you

[@ConscientiousOmnivore]

This is hugely inspirational! The benefit to the community is hugely beneficial! 3x the harvest? Having drinking water in time of sever drought? What's not to like?

[@MrHiddleston110]

"PROFIT WITHOUT GREED" Loved it. This is what being educated does to a person. :) P.S: Being Schooled and Being Educated is two different things.

[@firstnlastnamethe3rd771]

Yep, if we don't get "educated," we'll get "schooled."

[@pramilavg3776]

U r absolutely right

[@AreHan1991]

It's like Mahatma Gandhi once said: "There is enough for everybody's needs, but not for everybody's greed"

[@justintime970]

Not a single person with college dept involved.....

[@impastdeath]

If education doesn't enlighten us It's called as schooling

[@linenclothingshoplinenclot4262]

"Profit without greed." Water security is a positive not a negative. Well done to those people.

[@unitingindia3421]

you guys are the real heroes... hats off to you guys and more power to you ... you guys created model for whole india to follow where it is enough rainfall but in summer season face the calamity of drought . Vadakkam...

[@wiseoldowl7275]

Its vanakkam

[@marktimmer2212]

just start digging and doing the work, others will follow.

[@krishnaanhsirk2114]

Vadakkam😂 just for fun man

[@saritachoudhary5668]

All the members of this society are putting their conscious and wakeful efforts in conserving the Green Wealth 👍

[@furlycee]

SO COOL! I have fallen down a youtube hole of desertification agriculture and reforestation and it has been so hopeful to see people working the land well and re-cultivating areas that were once barren!

[@kingmir5]

I stay going down this hole , it’s a good one tho!

[@sudswati]

Love you Piyush! May God give you healthy and long life!

[@derekmulready1523]

The Man's a Genius Irish Citizen

[@BRBHARDWAJ]

Indian

[@svetlanikolova7673]

Derek, watch the Back to Eden with Paul Gauchi

[@biswajeetsatapathy9532]

Love my India and love it's people! This is such a cool concept and hope this catches on with communities throughout India. If we could make it a self sustaining eco system then it has the potential to have a postive effect on the climate as well. God bless our brilliant people!

[@nikhil.k3]

Down to Earth has always taken up environment concern very seriously. I have been a reader of its magazine for more than 2 years now. Great work!!

[@Diksha_Gauns]

We salute you sir!!! Love for mother earth, Vande mataram!!!

[@ashurean]

"profit is about meeting needs, not greed"

[@seanmcguire7974]

This is awesome. They need to do this in desert areas globally. I know it costs money, but governments can afford this

[@NateWoodbury]

I love this! I would love to participate in projects like this in my desert state of Utah.

[@happylife1548]

Start with your friends as cooperative forest and add more neighbors. Good luck

[@aldronb2876]

nice work. India needs more of this. Water security is also a matter of national security.

[@maryhairy1]

Brilliant! More countries should be encouraged to do this

[@artificialintelligence2653]

When trees are planted in an area, they act as water catchment for that area reducing surface flow. ... Besides, the roots of plants grow deep into the soil, and this helps break and loosen soil particles to ensure that water seeps even deeper into the soil.

[@dragonmammma]

Absolutely wonderful! It seems counter-intuitive that planting more trees increases the available water, but it's true. I know this from planting trees in my own back yard. My most successful combination is a fig tree with sweet potatoes underneath it. The fig tree shades the sweet potatoes when they start growing, and then the sweet potato vines spread out and keep the ground cool and moist even in the middle of summer.

[@commonground9915]

Cool! Nice to know!

[@adityasundar324]

This is a fantastic idea. A situation where there is only win. More Water, More Green Cover, Livelihood to many and good harvest. This is just brilliant !

[@jikcyjikku4423]

I can see the passion and intense vigour in that man. He will continue doing wonders. Inspiring !

[@muthuraja1696]

Thank you piyush and team ........we are proud of you in tamilnadu

[@krishnamohan1065]

This great effort should be replicated all over India

[@priyankabhattacharjee6238]

Very Happy that someone is thinking about our future, or else every one is busy in making their needs forgetting that generations to come need the same thing, This idea was always in me to plant more trees, truly I also want to be a part of such organisations and work for the nature,our mother continuosly protect us and serve us without any thing in return.

[@carlob517]

save the water run off first!

[@rohith927]

"Cooperative forest" what an amazing idea! Kudos to the team for their inspiring work!

[@serdalkaptan]

A very inspiring story. We, humans, have to realize that we belong to the mother nature, not vice versa. And we have to learn to respect it. Then the rest is good, beautiful, and satisfying. Thanks for sharing.

[@muzammilrkz1355]

Tamil makkalkk manam niranna abinandanam...from Kerala nature lovers...

[@dougclark9921]

A really great story and the science behind it is the same as I was taught in school in the 90s. Its really not complicated but it does need someone with vision, dedication and personality to get people to try it. I hope lots of other places follow his example because if we wait for governments to help, regardless of nationality, we will all be waiting a long time.

[@heizingberg]

This is so heartening to see. On the flipside, these are more of exceptions rather than normal occurrences in India. Imagine such initiatives across the country and our basic needs for water would be solved without any intervention by inept and corrupt politicians!

[@bineeshlazar7808]

Wow.. really an example for the nation..

[@FBall-im8ui]

Brilliant, he should move this process right across all of India and be bale to feed everyone in that country, great man! Fantastic work mate

[@farisasmith7109]

It's so amazing that once people start to treat the land properly it heals itself very quickly. They started planting trees and then trees started growing on their own. Birds and other animals that used to live there come back. It's a shame that the people who are doing this are small in comparison to the rest of the country. Once people see that area you would think they would implement the same plan or the government would do this on a larger scale.

[@ikramsharief4105]

Piyush sir did one of best earth work he is gift to nature and man kind... May God protect 🛡️ him. In his task..

[@arvison9]

Salute to Manush for his simple but very effective work. A blessing for local people and environment.

[@JPCox123]

These are the principles of permaculture and I love what you folks have done. 💕🦋

[@kevalshah8980]

A very inspiring model.. Similar efforts can be replicated on other drought prone areas. Its shows how sustainable development and good economy can be achieved through water conservation.

[@shinchando7240]

What a beautiful idea.. co-operative forest.. 👌👌

[@chullbuli090reacts6]

That's really amazing hope so more people will understand the importance of conserving water and growing forest it will help them nd mother nature will also grow..🙏

[@Auntpat]

I'm living in northern of Thailand. We are facing the problem of extremely hot weather in summer. also flooding occurs in the rainy season and gets worse every year.The problem arises from cutting trees to grow short-term crops that sell quickly. Now local people are becoming more aware and paying more attention to planting forests to reduce heat. and absorb water during floods- I admire what you are doing in India. You're on the right track.

[@satishchelakkunninmel8198]

The concept of greenery is amazing,This is necessary for our feature living,otherwise like nowadays we suffering for drinking water,in future there will be a big problem waiting for us,Oxygen ....with out oxygen ,everbody knows what will be happen,Just example our Capital Delhi....My Kerala is rich with greenery but peoples are destroying that,Mining and destroying forests are common thing in nowadays........I am happy to see these guys thoughts.......Great human beings.....Big salute......Jai Hind

[@shafaqathsirajuddin423]

Huge respect for these selfless lovely humans

[@ninjastorm1662]

Shafaqath Sirajuddin self need too he's kids no need to worry for water in future ... but for others is big question

[@muhammadhilyaas9108]

No words to praise your work sir . Hats off sir, Proud that it happens in my state ❤️

[@manojkothwal3586]

Best thing from Tamil Nadu ❤️❤️❤️

[@mal9369]

Very beautiful. So great to see such a successful implementation of this more sustainable farming system

[@marieslabbert6009]

A man with insight and the intelldct to change people's lives for the better.

[@lalitmishra2904]

Always love your content it's so easy to implement even at your own housee

[@deeptirabha8886]

WOWWWW, I have fallen in love with these jungles and first and foremost all "Loads of Respect & ADMIRATION to these men"!!!

[@GayestWinston]

Such an impressive project! I am still pretty young but i hope someday that i will be able to be part of a project like this. Props to you all for taking action🖐

[@Xaltar_]

Yes, this is what the world needs. These wonderful people have my utmost admiration and respect.

[@roshanahamed2337]

Great effort, we need this to be replicated as much as possible

[@anikac8380]

“Profit means meeting needs, not greed.” -Piyush Manush Gorgeous! That is a powerful, transformative sentence. That idea opens a path in economic thought towards sustainability.

[@tamilarasanp1242]

Hi Piyush, Even I m from Dharmapuri and I want to set up similar project in my village to convert hills into dense forest...How can i reach you????

[@vickythaya4451]

Piyush is a true leader with great environmental vision and abundant political knowledge! 😍🤗

[@pushpindersinghc3776]

Very good effort to bring back nature....salut to your hardwork...alas more and more people could support such an effort and make themselves aware ...

[@wordsmith3920]

Its a mind blowing transformation....by doing so now u have a community of good friends working for better cause...great work👏👏👏👏

[@marlenesabiooliva7667]

Truly, the journey to a thousand mile begins with a single step. Thank you very much for sharing and documenting your journey with the forest. God bless!

[@augustinekarikari9287]

Well done ,my brother. Your unselfish foresight to help humanity is wonderful. God bless you. This should be copied by every community on earth. The government should compensate all of you for your sacrifice. That will encourage other communities to emulate your example

[@nadeemsheikh5602]

Every one in this world must follow your dream gentleman. you are not doing it for yourself but for the whole community. Heads off to you😉😉😉

[@damonchampion823]

What an amazing, inspiring story. I want to visit 😁

[@jayphillip793]

We need more people like Piyush. Great work sir. Very joyful and delighted to see a person who is very much concerned about the environment. Great respect to Mr Piyush again. Live long. Love from Tamilnadu.

[@TheSanjaiswal]

Very impressive, you are helping the society in a very good way.

[@MrCveekay]

Great. One can't express their feelings by just seeing the video but should have to experience it.

[@Usmang786]

Puyash great guy a big respect from Pakistan

[@gracemaryjose188]

We as part of the society are very grateful to these gentlemen and their efforts. So proud of you Sir and your team. May God bless you all. Also it would be helpful if you could share the link to shop for your products. Thank you in advance.

[@mridul922]

825 mm rainfall annually is actually not bad. India's average is 650 mm and Jaipur in Rajasthan receives 600 mm. The problem is variation and I assume also the vegetation and salt texture. Great job Piyush and team!

[@asifsiddiqui5794]

Love your thought process. Keep inspiring!

[@krissivamurthy5810]

People like Piyush Sir must be in the Agriculture Or Environmental Board of the country.It will be a huge help for farmers.The efforts he is taking is inspirational.Wish that affluent people also contribute so that it will be easy for people like Piyush Sir doesn't have to think about financial resources.

[@siddharthgandhi2723]

I hope to see these kind of setups in my city too .. Loved the concept 💕

[@silambarasanp6293]

You had created an example in a small scale what our country needs, to be agriculturally sound, avoiding poverty. u are true leader what our goverment needs

[@captbumbler5356]

good work and such a simple start, hope lots of those who see this video take up the ideas and start doing it in other ares around India

[@RandomStuff-nt7xh]

I love this mans work and his enthusiasm, if we had more people like him in the world it would be a better place.

[@Nitka022]

Amazing work done! So so well done! Love this work and love the man behind this project. Now repeat, repeat,repeat!...:-)

[@tayeng123.]

The cover photo appears like mask of Deontay wilder. ( Jokes apart) Kuddos 👏👏

[@garethCUK]

Co-op Principle 7 in action. Care for the community (and the environment). outstanding to see what the co-op is achieving.

[@buy1help1]

The simple ideas are often the most effective. Thank you for sharing.

[@peteacher52]

Very pleasing to see. "It can supply peoples' needs, not their greed." A great quote and a heavy black mark against corrupt leaders who greedily gather to themselves the fruits of others' hard work.

[@sakhawathossain.]

As a nature lover thank you for creating a forest 🥰

[@Hbjbsisbehsbsj]

❤️

[@jacobmani785]

Great work carried out by the Farmer Cooperative under Piyush ji

[@bharathp9135]

I bow down with gratitude for all your efforts behind this👏 I would love to visit this, if anyone can share the exact location of this

[@jeevasubramanian2127]

Happy to see greenery.....proud TN as forerunner for INDIA......

[@ravindrachaudary4830]

Terrific work done by visionary cooperation!

[@BudgetCarnivore]

Profit is meeting needs not greed. Best line sir 👏💯💯.

[@louisegogel7973]

4:55 “Creating a Forest for Profit; so profit means meeting needs not greed.” Permaculture is the way to go... read the land, work with its contours, plant the rain water into the earth as with a sponge, make many small changes that will last, shade and hold the earth with many varieties of plants of varying heights, and pace harvesting and grazing so the plants can outgrow the needs of the people and animals.

[@estebancorral5151]

We know!!!!

[@rafaelguerreros263]

More strength and success to you and your projects 🙏