Blog de Toxifier: 40,885 saplings planted in an hour in Assam

Hey all my dear readers! :) How's everyone out there?! :) Greetings to you all! :D

So, just like every other week, here we have a Thursday, rather, An Intellectual Thursday if we talk the Toxifier's way, although I'll rather like to call it Fabulous Thursday today because what I'm gonna discuss is something Fabulous! :D haha! :D And what do I have got to discuss with you all today? It's related to plants :D I love plants! :D

So by the heading, you must have got a glimpse of what I wish to talk about. On Monday, I read an article on MSN, but thought Thursday would be perfect to talk about it :D The heading was: "Assam's Guinness bid: 40,885 saplings planted in an hour". Assam? You don't know? Oh well! It is a North-Eastern State of India.

Guwahati: In a bid to enter the Guinness World Records, 100 people planted 40,885 saplings within an hour on Sunday near the Chirang Reserve Forest in lower Assam.

They wanted to break the record of 26,422 saplings planted in an hour in a Northern Ireland park two years ago. Although I would say more than record breaking bid, the initiative has been just so cool, all because planting trees is a nice job. I remember I planted 2 trees on the roadside near my house. but the local traders plucked them out with their roots :( I was very upset, not because I paid to buy those little trees, and not even because I woke up at 5 am to plant them and did quite much work too to get it done, but because I was so happy to plant them as I love trees! :/ Anyways, the local Municipal Corporation, almost 2 years later(almost a month ago! :D), planted new trees out there and have taken care that nobody can cut them by taking proper measures such as putting those wired barriers around the trees! :D I'm happy ! :D

Oh back to the topic! Back to the topic! LOL! Between 11 am and 12 noon, 100 men from the state's(Assam is the state in this case! Not Delhi like my case! LOL!) forest department, Dogra Regiment and 135 Ecological Battalion (Territorial Army) planted the saplings on the banks of the Saralbhanga river. The event was video-graphed in the presence of three independent observers and the footage would now be sent to Guinness World Records, said C. Ramesh Kumar, divisional forest officer of Haltugaon Forest Division under the Chirang Reserve Forest. Okay the last line is under the facts and figures thing so don't worry if you cant recognise the names! :P

"We have contacted the Guinness authorities for recording the event. However, as per their norms, they advised us to engage independent observers from the area. We appointed three persons, including former Kokrajhar Kendriya Vidyalaya principal of B. Lal and former Kokrajhar DIET principal C. Brahma," Kumar told. "Our objective is not just to establish a record. Our motto is 'plant a tree, save a life'. We want to highlight the loss of trees in our area and impress upon the civil society to do its duty to save the forests," he said. The men carried out several rehearsals at the Dogra Regiment base in Kokrajhar to successfully complete the task, he said. "We are hopeful of breaking Northern Ireland's record. The men targeted to plant 50,000 saplings but only 40,855 could be planted within the stipulated time," Brahma, one of independent observers, said. "We are going to send the video for verification and hope they (Guinness authorities) declare the decision in one month," said Kumar.

In 2010, 100 men from the Ireland-Western Health and Social Care Trust One had planted 26,422 trees in an hour at the Gransha Park. India's northeastern region has lost about 549 square km of forest cover despite a Supreme Court ban on unauthorised tree felling, says a 2011 Forest Survey of India report.

All that sounds so cool! :D Trees have such an important role in our lives. Trees are an important component of the natural landscape because of their prevention of erosion and the provision of a weather-sheltered ecosystem in and under their foliage. They also play an important role in producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as well as moderating ground temperatures. They are also elements in landscaping and agriculture, both for their aesthetic appeal and their orchard crops (such as apples). Wood from trees is a building material, as well as a primary energy source in many developing countries. Trees also play a role in many of the world's mythologies. Like in Hinduism, Banyan Tree has got a great religious importance, the tree of Amla(a citrus fruit) is considered to be as holy as Lord Vishnu himself! Pipal Tree too has a great religious importance in Hinduism.

Trees are an important part of every community. Our streets, parks, playgrounds and backyards are lined with trees that create a peaceful, aesthetically pleasing environment. Trees increase our quality of life by bringing natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban settings. We gather under the cool shade they provide during outdoor activities with family and friends. Many neighborhoods are also the home of very old trees that serve as historic landmarks and a great source of town pride.

In addition, architectural and engineering functions are served by your community's trees. They frame landscapes, create beautiful backgrounds and enhance building designs. Trees can provide privacy, emphasize beautiful views, and screen unsightly areas. Noise from roadways and other urban activities is muffled by well-placed trees that serve as sound barriers. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that trees can reduce bothersome noise by up to 50% and mask unwanted noises with pleasant, natural sounds. Using trees in cities to deflect the sunlight reduces the heat island effect caused by pavement and commercial buildings.

Trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. During the process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people." Trees, shrubs and turf also filter air by removing dust and absorbing other pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. After trees intercept unhealthy particles, rain washes them to the ground.

Trees control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain and wind. Leaves absorb and filter the sun's radiant energy, keeping things cool in summer. Trees also preserve warmth by providing a screen from harsh wind. In addition to influencing wind speed and direction, they shield us from the downfall of rain, sleet and hail. Trees also lower the air temperature and reduce the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect by maintaining low levels of carbon dioxide.

Both above and below ground, trees are essential to the eco-systems in which they reside. Far reaching roots hold soil in place and fight erosion. Trees absorb and store rainwater which reduce runoff and sediment deposit after storms. This helps the ground water supply recharge, prevents the transport of chemicals into streams and prevents flooding. Fallen leaves make excellent compost that enriches soil.

Many animals, including elephants, koalas and giraffes eat leaves for nourishment. Flowers are eaten by monkeys, and nectar is a favorite of birds, bats and many insects. Animals also eat much of the same fruit that we enjoy This process helps disperse seeds over great distances. Of course, hundreds of living creatures call trees their home. Leaf-covered branches keep many animals, such as birds and squirrels, out of the reach of predators.

The main reason we like trees is because they are both beautiful and majestic. No two are alike. Different species display a seemingly endless variety of shapes, forms, textures and vibrant colors. Even individual trees vary their appearance throughout the course of the year as the seasons change. The strength, long lifespan and regal stature of trees give them a monument-like quality. Most of us react to the presence of trees with a pleasant, relaxed, comfortable feeling. In fact, many people plant trees as living memorials of life-changing events.

Trees help record the history of your family as they grow and develop alongside you and your kids. We often make an emotional connection with trees we plant or become personally attached to the ones that we see every day. These strong bonds are evidenced by the hundreds of groups and organizations across the country that go to great lengths to protect and save particularly large or historic trees from the dangers of modern development. How many of your childhood memories include the trees in your backyard or old neighborhood? The sentimental value of a special tree is simply immeasurable.

Trees have supported and sustained life throughout our existence. They have a wide variety of practical and commercial uses. Wood was the very first fuel, and is still used for cooking and heating by about half of the world's population. Trees provide timber for building construction, furniture manufacture, tools, sporting equipment, and thousands of household items. Wood pulp is used to make paper.

We are all aware of apples, oranges and the countless other fruits and nuts provided by trees, as well as the tasty syrup of North American sugar maples. But did you know the bark of some trees can be made into cork and is a source of chemicals and medicines? Quinine and aspirin are both made from bark extracts. The inner bark of some trees contains latex, the main ingredient of rubber. How many more uses can you name?

When I was in school, I remember, I was a student of Biology and we had a unit Ecology in our subject of Biology. In that I even studied that there is a huge economic value attached to our ecological resources such as trees and rivers. They taught us criteria to understand how is the value estimated and it turned out to in many trillions of just the forests as a resource! For example, certain herbs and shrubs have medical uses and trees got so many important roles like purifying the air and helping the rainfall.

If you people know, they are constructing a hug vertical forest, Bosco Verticale, in Milan, Italy. let me share a pic with you all:

If I list some reasons why tress have a huge importance in our lives(from about.com):

Trees Produce Oxygen
Trees Clean the Soil
Trees Control Noise Pollution
Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff
Trees Are Carbon Sinks
Trees Clean the Air
Trees Shade and Cool
Trees Act as Windbreaks
Trees Fight Soil Erosion
Trees Increase Property Values

Thanks all for reading the article. It is nice to know that so many trees were recently planted in my country. You all too go ahead an plant trees, it's fun, and also give a sense of pride of doing something good! ;) hahaha! :D :D
Good day all, comments and suggestions are always welcomed! :)