TIST India - Chezhumai / December 2008
Chezhumai
Merry Christmas & and happy new year
TIST Farmers Help Worldwide Problem
The International Small Group & Tree Planting Program
TIST India: 19/8, Lake View Road, Kottur, Chennai 600 085, Tamil Nadu, India
Phone : +91 44 42188438 / Mobile: +91 9840293822 / Email: josephrexoni@tist.org
HELPLINE
For any inform@tion or help
Dial 9003020886 / 9003020837
difficulty in dial 9840299822/01 44 42188438
mall: josephrexon@tist.org
Our address: 19/8, Lake View Road, Kottur, Chennai 600085
Kumil
Kumil is a fast growing deciduous tree, occurring naturally throughout greater part of India. The Kumil tree attains moderate to large height up to 30 m. It has a smooth whitish grey (ashy) bark. Itis a freat to see the Kumil tree standing straight with clear bole having branches on top and thick foliage forming a conical crown on the top of the tall stem. Flowering takes place during February to April when the tree is more or less leafless whereas fruiting starts from May onwards up to June. Kumil saplings and young plants need protection from deer and cattle. Kumil timber is reasonably strong for its weight. It is used in constructions, furniture, carriages, sports, musical instruments and artificial limbs. Once seasoned, it is a very steady timber and moderately resistant to decay. Its timber is highly esteemed for door and window panels, joinery and furniture especially for drawers, wardrobes, cupboards, kitchen and camp furniture, and musical instruments because of its lightweight, stability and durability. The root and bark of Kumil are used for piles, abdominal pains, burning sensations, fevers, and urinary discharge. Kumil leaves are considered goad for cattle.
TIST members have selected Kumil trees to plant in their land under TIST Program
Pillaiyarappan Small Group of Arani Center
The members of this group have dedicated 2.4 acres of their land for planting trees under TIST Program. They are following the best practices of TIST at Mampakkam Village in Arani Center. They have 1,735 Kumil and 41 Red Sandalwood in their grove. All the trees are planted with good spacing in orderly way. Intercropping is practiced regularly by the members. Recently, the members have harvested groundnut, which was cultivated in between the Kumil trees.The members have decided to cultivate the next schedule of intercrop in January, this time they have planned to growgroundnut and black gram.
Kumil tree grove of Pillaiyarappan Small Group
Roja Small Group of Arani Center
The members of this group have dedicated 1.4 acres of their land for planting trees under TIST Program. They are following the best practices of TIST at Mampakkam Village in Arani Center. In Muniyan grove there are 600 Kumil and in Ramu Grove, there are 1,025 Kumil trees. These Kumil trees are just few months old and they have already crossed more than 3 feet in height. This group was quantified on 15th November 2008. The members say that, they could not practice agriculture because of very less rain fall, and so they shifted to plant trees. The groups are very happy by seeing the fast growth of their Kumil trees. Groundnut is the favorite intercrop for the members of this group.
Kumil tree grove of Roja Small Group
TIST members are planting horticulture trees too, which would get additional revenue
Prem Small Group of Thiruthani Center
The members of this group have dedicated 6.1 acres of their land for planting trees under TIST Program. They are following the best practices of TIST at Beerakuppam Village in Thiruthani Center. The members have split their 6.1 acres of land into 4 groves. They planned it well to get additional revenue by planting mango trees, which would start giving them the yield from fourth year. Good care is taken for the mango trees. The spread out side branches of the mango trees are pulled and tied together, so that, they grow upwards and the branches do not fall down on the ground and go waste with out fruit. They have planted teak trees too. These teak trees are also planted with good spacing like mango trees. They have 809 Kumil and 459 Red Sandalwood in their grove. The members practice groundnut regularly as intercrop in all their 6.1 acre land.
= Do not throw plastic bags here and there; your own cattle will die after
= Grow as many
«trees and plants in ¥) 4your surroundings |as possible. Keep your surroundings green.
= Do not throw waste here and there. Separate the waste which are decomposable from non decomposable and use the different dustbins provided by the waste management companies.
= Water is one of the most precious natural resources, so do not waste it.
This member of Vellore Center is using the water pyre and effectively Gougyrrt emg deir Elna 2 miler semrent sng
Selecting a tree species
It is a good thought that you all have decided to plant trees in your own land. Before you plant a tree plan to answer few questions, so that, you plant a good tree in a good way.
= Why are you planting trees? You are planting trees to reverse the devastating effects of drought & deforestation. You are planting trees to get good revenue for your day today life.
= What is the size and the location of your land? Will you be able to plant Large trees or small size trees? Will the soil support your timber trees or horticulture trees? Are there any old trees in your land, which will come in conflict with your new trees? Ask your TIST coordinators to know which tree species can be grown in your land. They will tell you good answer with the help from forestry experts.
Mr.A.V. Venkatachalam, Conservator of Forests, Vellore is explaining about a tree species to the Program Director of TIST India
* How are you going to maintain your trees?
Do you have well? Do 2 miss Hever usd 2 sitemsT ? you have a farm pond to store rain water? Will your neighbours help you to share water from their well? Do you have natural compost for our trees? Discuss with the other members of your group and plant
Take time and answer all the above Guest questions. This will help you to select Bea good tree species, which wil be of ir good help financially for you. Do not plant trees hastily without good plan, which will lead to burden. did
Sandalwood tree grove of Arulagam Small Group of Mel Kodungalur Center. The members of this group selected suitable tree for planting in their land. With their continuous hard work all their trees are stand live and healthy.