Students must mobilize as a people’s movement to reverse ecological degradation, stated Tamilmaran, the coordinator of the Isha Cauvery Calling movement, during the launch of the “One Village, One Peepal Tree” project in Sivakasi. To commemorate the centenary of the 24th Guru Mahasannidhanam of Perur Aadheenam, Santhalinga Ramaswamy Adigalar, the “One Village, One Peepal Tree” initiative—which involves planting Peepal trees (Arasa Maram) across all villages in Tamil Nadu—is being implemented district-wise under the guidance of Isha Cauvery Calling. Accordingly, the project launch for Virudhunagar district was held today (21/01/26) at Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Sivakasi.

At the event, the 25th Guru Mahasannidhanam of Perur Aadheenam, Santhalinga Marudhasala Adigalar, inaugurated the tree-planting activities for Virudhunagar district by planting the first sapling. Dr. C. Ashok, Principal of Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Ravi Arunachalam, Founder of Sivakasi Green Trust, Selvakumar, and volunteers from Isha Cauvery Calling were present.

Addressing the gathering, the Perur Aadheenam head remarked, “You might wonder about the benefit of bringing a Peepal tree to our village. Among all existing trees, it is specifically named the ‘King of Trees’ (Arasa Maram) because the air it releases contains high levels of oxygen. Our ancestors traditionally planted a Neem tree alongside a Peepal tree. The air emitted by the combination of Neem and Peepal is excellent for both physical and mental well-being.

Circumambulating the Peepal tree provides us with pure air, which improves health and resolves issues related to the uterus in women. In the past, schools were conducted under the shade of Peepal and Banyan trees; these trees were our first providers of education. Planting a small plant today may yield temporary benefits, but the Peepal tree offers immense advantages to our future generations. The Isha Cauvery Calling movement has brought this noble project to Virudhunagar district, and the efforts taken by their volunteers are truly commendable.”

Speaking at the event, Tamilmaran, the coordinator of Isha Cauvery Calling, said, “When Sadhguru started the Project GreenHands in 2004, he stated that planting five Peepal trees in a village would create a significant change in the physical and mental health of the people there. On the occasion of the Perur Aadheenam centenary, we are launching and implementing this ‘One Village, One Peepal Tree’ project district by district in collaboration with them. So far, this project has been launched in Coimbatore, Krishnagiri, Erode, and Mayiladuthurai districts, with Peepal trees planted in 3,888 villages to date. Today, we have launched it in Virudhunagar district. Our goal is to plant at least five Peepal trees in each of the more than 33,000 villages across Tamil Nadu.

The work of Mr. Selvakumar from the Sivakasi Green Trust, who is restoring rare tree species vanishing from Tamil Nadu and greening the Virudhunagar district, is praiseworthy. The UN has warned that 40% of the world’s land has turned into desert, and there is a risk that food production will decrease by 30% over the next 30 years. To reverse this ecological degradation, students must mobilize as a people’s movement. The oxygen we breathe comes from trees planted by someone else; similarly, we must think about what we are going to leave behind for the next generation. Especially in hot regions like Sivakasi, every student must take a pledge to plant and nurture native trees like the Peepal that are suited to the soil. This small effort of yours will become the massive change that prevents future famines.”