1. YEI – Million Trees
The Problem
When the environment becomes less valuable or damaged, environmental
degradation is said to occur. There are many forms of environmental
degradation. When habitats are destroyed, biodiversity is lost, or natural
resources are depleted, the environment is hurt.
Environmental degradation can occur naturally, or through human
processes. The largest areas of concern at present are the loss of rain
forests, air pollution and smog, ozone depletion, and the destruction of the
marine environment.
Pollution is occurring all over the world and poisoning the planet's oceans.
Even in remote areas, the effects of marine degradation are obvious.

2. YEI – Million Trees
Current Environmental Problems in Chennai
Chennai is growing on a rapid phase in all the 3 directions and with vacant
land vanishing at an alarming rate, it is inevitable that the ground water
levels will deplete and pollution levels will increase with increased traffic.
It is a need of the hour that a massive plantation program be undertaken to
curtail the pollution level within and around the city.
Lack of awareness, action and response to natural disasters has impacted
on the number of trees that exist in and around Chennai. This has a direct
impact on the environment, look and feel of the communal areas and
decreased ability to reduce the air pollution.

3. YEI – Million Trees
Benefits of Trees
Social Benefits:-
We like trees around us because they make life more pleasant. Most of us
respond to the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We
feel serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil in a grove of trees.
Environmental Benefits:-
Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate,
improving air quality, conserving water and harbouring wildlife. Climate
control is obtained by moderating the effects of sun, wind, and rain. Radiant
energy from the sun is absorbed or deflected by leaves on deciduous trees
in the summer and is only filtered by branches of deciduous trees in winter.

4. YEI – Million Trees
Benefits of Trees
Long Term Economic Benefits:-
The economic benefits of trees can be both direct and indirect. Direct
economic benefits are usually associated with energy costs. Air
conditioning costs are lower in a tree-shaded areas.
The indirect economic benefits of trees are even greater. These benefits
are available to the community or region. Lowered electricity bills are paid
by customers when power companies are able to use less water in their
cooling towers, build fewer new facilities to meet peak demands, use
reduced amounts of fossil fuel in their furnaces, and use fewer measures to
control air pollution. Communities also can save money if fewer facilities
must be built to control storm water in the region.

5. YEI – Million Trees
The Proposal – YEI Million Trees
Youth ExNoRa International proposes to run the project for 3 years with a
view to conduct an assessment annually to include the lessons learnt in
year 2 and 3 .
The proposal aims at
1. Implementing Million Trees programme by planting million trees in
and around Chennai city.
2. Reduce air pollution and toxin levels in and around Chennai city
3. Enhance the image of Chennai as a Clean and Green city
4. Raise awareness of the importance of planting trees
5. Use corporation resources to maintain the trees

6. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan - Selection of Trees
Considering that most trees have the potential to outlive the people who
plant them, the impact of this decision is one that can influence a lifetime.
Selecting the right form (shape) to complement the desired function (what
you want the tree to do) can significantly reduce maintenance costs and
increase the tree’s value in the landscape.
Site Conditions
Selecting a tree that will thrive in a given set of site conditions is the key to
long-term tree survival. The following is a list of the major site conditions
that will be considered before selecting a tree for planting:
• Soil conditions, exposure (sun and wind)
• Human activity, drainage, space constraints and pest problems

7. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan - Selection of Trees

8. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan – Selection of areas
As part of the programme the below list of areas will be selected to plant
the trees:-
1. Corporation, municipality and panchayat land
2. Parks and common spaces
3. Roads and highways
4. Cemeteries, schools, colleges, government offices
5. Residential complexes, corporate office spaces, factories

9. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Selection of areas

10. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Selection of areas
In and around Chennai will be selected to plant trees

11. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Selection of areas
Land which is under the purview of Chennai Corporation,
Municipalities and Panchayats will be used.

12. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Selection of areas
Road side land taking into consideration multi lane construction
plans.

13. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Selection of areas
Private land of corporates, factories and townships with decentralised
maintenance of the trees planted.

14. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Timescales
The project will run for an initial period of 12 months with plantation
programme running throughout the year.
• Programme will be divided
into 4 quarters
• 2.5 lakh trees will be
planted per quarter spread
across various locations
• An average of 2750 trees
will be planted each day
throughout the year.
• 365 trees planted every
hour.

15. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Human Resources
Project will be employ dedicated workers estimated between 15 – 20 to
keep the momentum of the programme while Youth ExNoRa international
would also engage with the below groups to reduce the costs.
• Corporate staff volunteer
• College students
• School children
• NGOs
• Chennai corporation workers
• Panchayat workers
• Resident welfare associations

16. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Human Resources
Apart from the above mentioned resources, YEI also plans to employ
inmates of Puzhal jail who would be paid to to pot the plants. This will
imbibe social and environmental consciousness in the inmates and also
provide them with a monthly income.
We estimate that 10 inmates would be required to pot the pants.
Programme will provide them with the bags, seedlings, soil and equipment
to pot the plants.
YEI will seek relevant permissions from the jail authorities and has already
had initial discussions with the authorities who welcome the idea.

17. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Equipment (Mechanical and PPE)
Earth Auger to dig holes
With almost 2,700 trees to be planted
each day, it would be labour intensive
to adopt digging pits by manual
labour.
YEI proposes to use mechanical
and PPP equipment to carry out the
plantation programme and identifies
but not limited to the below

18. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Equipment (Mechanical and PPE)
Personal Protection
Equipment for
workers
Shovel to put earth into
the hole

19. YEI – Million Trees
Action Plan– Equipment (Mechanical and PPE)
Truck to transport
saplings
Wheelbarrow to take
saplings to area

20. YEI – Million Trees
Maintenance
YEI proposes the maintenance of the trees planted in the ways as
mentioned below:-
1. Decentralised maintenance of trees planted in private lands such as
corporates, schools, colleges etc
2. YEI volunteers to inspect the trees planted in the public areas and act
accordingly
3. Use expertise of individuals to prune the trees in the prescribed ways to
obtain optimum growth
4. Use corporation, municipality and panchayat employees to support
maintenance.
5. Use of college and schools students during the maintenance period as
volunteers

21. YEI – Million Trees
Showcase & Publicity
Youth ExNoRa International realizes that good work needs t o be
commended and also showcased to generate interest from other corporate
houses to take up inspiration from Million Trees Programme.
Youth ExNoRa International will plan publicity and showcasing programs
throughout the year and would include eminent personalities of Tamil Nadu
to spread the word to the citizens and corporates.
Schools and colleges will be encouraged to participate in the events that
would be organised. This would generate interest in the future citizens of
India and imbibe the social responsibility.

22. YEI – Million Trees
Questions ????

23. YEI – Million Trees
Thank You…