Farmers-Led Drive Targets Cauvery Revival With 1.2 Cr New Saplings in 2026-27

Last Updated:May 29, 2026, 19:55 IST

Cauvery, a forest-fed river, is critically depleting, having lost over 40% of its water flow in the last 70 years and 87% of its original tree cover

Amid growing concerns over the rapid depletion of the Cauvery River, a farmers-led ecological movement is accelerating efforts to restore the river basin through large-scale tree plantation and agroforestry.

The campaign, “Save Soil – Cauvery Calling", has so far facilitated the planting of 13.4 crore trees and highlights that it helped nearly 2.6 lakh farmers adopt tree-based agriculture practices that improve soil health and water conservation. For 2026–27, the movement aims to plant an additional 1.2 crore saplings as part of its continuing push to revive the river ecosystem and support sustainable livelihoods in the Cauvery basin.

“Thirteen crore trees is not just a number. What it represents is 2.6 lakh farmers who have permanently changed how they farm. When policy and farmers align, India can revive its soil, replenish its water resources, and secure rural livelihoods in one bold move," said Ethirajalu, Project Director, Save Soil – Cauvery Calling, at a press briefing in New Delhi on Friday.

Cauvery, a forest-fed river, is critically depleting, having lost over 40% of its water flow in the last 70 years and 87% of its original tree cover. To address this, the movement aims to enable the plantation of 242 crore trees on private farmland. The plan is to integrate trees into farmland while helping farmers to improve soil health. “By adopting practices such as minimal tillage, mulching, and cover cropping, I was able to significantly improve the soil organic carbon levels on my farm. These methods reduced dependence on fertilisers and pesticides while making the farm more resilient to droughts and floods," said Valluvan, 58, a UN-awarded farmer from Tamil Nadu at the briefing.

The movement’s production infrastructure includes Asia’s largest single-site nursery in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, run entirely by women with a capacity of 85 lakh saplings, and a second nursery in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, producing 15 lakh more. The movement has already deployed over 200 field executives who have visited more than 26,500 farmlands in 2025. These consultations include assessment of soil type, soil depth, and water conditions, along with recommendations on region-appropriate species based on agro-climatic conditions and farmers’ income cycles.

“The movement engages farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations, NGOs, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Gram Panchayats, and agricultural expos, helping expand awareness and adoption of tree-based agriculture," Anand added.

News india Farmers-Led Drive Targets Cauvery Revival With 1.2 Cr New Saplings in 2026-27

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