In India, plant the traditional trees

Subsequent to my earlier post, there are several Indian trees that are inherently capable of reducing pollution, both, of air and of sound. They not only reduce pollution but help in significant improvement in the quality of soil and water retention. The icing on the cake is that if planted in significant numbers within cities they help stabilize and even improve the water table. With so much power retained within them, it is a pity that such fabulous trees have lost out the mind share of our intelligent and modern town planners.Neem, Peepal, Paakad, Jamun, Mango, Banyan, Bel trees are known for their high water retentin capabilities since times immemorial in India. In fact the botanical name of Neem - Azadirachta Indica - is derived from a persian word given to it by Arab traders when they first came to India. The traders found that this tree grew just about every where in India and hence they started referring to it as Azaad-Darakht-e-Hind - The independent tree of India.These trees not only retain high quantities of water but also help reduce sound pollution, specially beneficial in urban centres - since their wide canopies break sound waves. The widely spread out canopies further aid in a higher level of retention of Carbon di Oxide than most other trees. Their leaves and fruits falling to the ground help improve the nutritional value of the soil below in no uncertain terms. These are proven scientific facts and also substantiated by the value assigned to these trees in our Vedas. Right from Ashok to Sher Shah Suri there are records of how they insisted on planting these trees along highways, urban centres, shelters for traveller and water baoulisThe advent of the Britishers did not do anything to diminish this. Infact the British further aided in planting green trees all along the Highways they developed. It is the advent of Democracy and the rise of the people in the lat 60 years that has impacted our tryst with destiny so significantly. The sab chalta hai attitude has impacted our environment as much as any other facet of our daily lives.Further, the so called literate population, aided and abetted by what it feels is the correct 'western truth' has further aided the downfall of our country in as little as 6 years. They have not yet realized that even the 'West' no longer practices or preaches what they continue to abide by to this day.This is the reason why i feel that our future lies in the hands of the millions who are religious, even though they may be illiterate because while they may be illiterate, they are certainly not uneducated, as mentioned even by Pandit Nehru. The key is to be able to associate the environment with religion and then spread the word around across the length and breadth of this country.Now for some scientific facts -A single average tree absorbs 12 kg of CO2 while providing enough Oxygen for 4 human beings for a year. Trees planted in a single hectare of land absorb more than 6 tons of CO2 whereas a single long haul flight generates about 3.75 tons of CO2.1. Trees and plants that help trap dust particles, reduce temperature and trap other exhaust particles - Neem, Amaltas, Sheesham, Cane, Peepal, Mango, Jamun, Arjun, Saagwan, Tamarind2. Trees that help convert wasteland to fertile land - Babul, Arjun, Gulmohar, Kadamb, Amaltas3. Trees that reduce sound pollution - Ashok, Neem, Kachnaar, Banyan, Peepal, Semal4. Trees that help reduce air pollution significantly - Bel, Siras, Neem, Ulu neem, Bougainvillea, Sheesham, Peepal, Mahua, TamarindWe dont need too much funds. We need a lot much more of dedication and conviction and people on the ground to do that. Are we ready...