For the local community, the first bloom of the coconut tree is as important as the coming of age of the daughter of the family, and a ritual is performed. Coconut trees are called thennam pillai; thennam-coconut; pillai-child. Through the coconut tree scheme, people can sponsor a coconut tree for Rs.100 and it will be planted on their behalf on occasions such as wedding anniversaries, death anniversaries and birthdays. Since the scheme was launched in June 1997, 177 people have registered and are ready to sponsor trees for all their family functions in Vellore. So far, around 556 coconut trees have been planted in Vellore. Planting trees is an investment in an oxygen factory for your children. If each couple adds 1 tree for every birthday of their child as a way of investing in the wealth and health of the family, the restoration of the environment is also taken care of.

Money can be sent on the day of the event or in advance with a designation of the date and the time of the event. A tree may be planted on the day and time of the birth (or any other auspicious time), selected by the sponsors. Take, for example, a sponsorship of 50 trees (costing Rs.5,000 at the rate of Rs.100 per tree including transportation, labour, etc.) for a wedding, in the name of the couple. After 5 years each tree gives 200 coconuts (200 x 50 = 10,000 coconuts), and at Rs. 5 there could be revenue of 50,000 per annum from the trees alone.

When trees are given as wedding presents, certificates are presented to the couples on behalf of the sponsors. While some prefer to sponsor their rasi (auspicious) number of trees, others like to plant a number equal to their age – such as 60 trees on their 60th birthday. The volunteer who wants trees on his land needs to be a member of the scheme. Marriage halls will soon be able to sponsor a few trees for every function held in their halls.

Benefits
	Generation of income through the selling of coconuts for the families that grow the trees.
	Production of coconut coir, which is useful in environmental restoration (controlling soil erosion, for mulch and for composting).
	Employment for the maintenance of trees in the case of large scale plantation.
	Generation of interest in other local restoration programmes among participants
	Prevention of the cutting of manju grass, as a replacement for coconut fronds for hut roofs. The hills need that grass to retain the topsoil and absorb rainwater. Increasing the availability of coconut fronds in the plains will stop people from approaching the hills for the grass.

Photos:

Volunteer with a sponsored, grown tree		2 years old coconut trees in a farm