In September, 2005, 1003 saplings were planted in the following sections of Nainar Kuppam village
- On the open beach amidst Ipomoea ground cover [about 300]
- On the open beach which is all sand [58]
- Along the main road leading to the ECR [150]
- Amidst village inner roads [50]
- In house yards [450]
Experience with these have been varied- many of them unexpected. Our observations may be useful to others attempting similar plantations.
September was chosen as the best month to plant because the North East monsoons due in late October was expected to nurture the young plants. This year the monsoons have been very vigorous and copious - the best in terms of rainfall in two decades. This has had an adverse effect as we shall see. Autumnal winds during November tend to singe and curl leaves of all adult trees, leading to leaf fall. This has had an adverse effect too.
These two causes have devastated the young saplings along the beach under 1 and 2 above. Additionally a majority of the plants under 1, have been overwhelmed by Ipomoea. The rains and the nutritious plant material provided in the pits for saplings have worsened the situation. As for plants in the open sands [2], these have been singed by the cold, sharp winds. Also large drifts of sand set in motion by rains, have covered many of the young plants.
What is distressing about these two classes, is that just a fortnight ago, before the rains and the cooler winds began, they showed sparkling growth with lush green leaves. Rains can be too much of a good thing.
Fate of plants under 3 above is stranger. Quite a few were lifted by gardeners working in private gardens for transplanting in their own. While annoying, this is not detrimental to the cause as these plants would be finding newer homes. The saddening destruction is due to building activity in the neighbourhood. Building materials and debris have been dumped on many saplings and they are beyond salvage now.
The 500 hundred plants in the last two categories have however survived well. Mostly because they are protected at my farm, by palm frond fences around homesteads. Some are on quieter, little frequented inner roads.
An unexpected hazard are the little children who have uprooted several plants and stripped lush leaves playfully.
For all these ills, the better choice would have been non-hybrid, native trees grown from hand-picked seeds. These grow straight and fast unlike the grafted variety which tends to be a bush. In the two months since planting, the native trees would have gained height and strength. The grafted variety however seems the better choice near households where their dwarf nature could be an advantage.
So a new strategy is called for to correct the problems faced in Nainar Kuppam. I have begun to raise plants in used cement sacks at my farm, so that they can be grown to a good height before planting into the ground in place of failed saplings. Alas, this may take a year. But then it's not a plant and walk away project.