Coimbatore-based 45-year old S. Rajendar founded NGO Pasumai Desam in 2011. This NGO works towards improving the green cover in the city. Mechanical engineer by profession, he has dedicated 10 per cent of his earnings towards Pasumai Desam.

To spread the awareness the public about plants with medicinal values, the founder of this NGO has planned an exhibition. At this exhibition about 150 plants that have the power to heal various diseases will be on display. It is likely to be held in June in Coimbatore.

At this exhibition one can expect to catch a glimpse of plectranthus amboinicus (karpuravalli), ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as ocimum sanctum, popular as tulsi and rare plants like punarnava that is recommended for kidney and liver disorders, symnema sylvestre (sirukurinjan) which is a herbal remedy for diabetes mellitus and eclipta alba better known as kesavardhini among others.

“I have collected about 120 plants so far. Information like what disease they can cure has been verified and documented. My target is to collect and display 150 such plants. With time in hand, I am confident that in June I will be able to educate the public about the plants and their medicinal powers,” Rajendar says. At his upcoming exhibition Rajendar also has plans to train those who are interested in growing saplings that have medicinal utility.

Currently, this nature activist is working on verifying the data about these species of plants with various sources like professors at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Forest College officials and a few elderly people who are well-versed in this subject.

Also, during the following month, Rajendar will start his one-sapling-a-day campaign. As part of this initiative, the founder of Pasumai Desam along with its volunteers and well wishers will plant one sapling everyday in the city starting June 5 which is World Environment Day.