Village Adoption Program Under Swachchta Initiative

(VAPUSI) of IIT Delhi Alumni Association (IITDAA)

SOP for Tree Plantation

1. The tree plantation program should have a long term vision and not look for shortcuts/immediate gains
as excellent quality (Not large quantity) is the hall mark of IIT’s and this must reflect in our projects.
2. Areas to be planted should be identified after discussion with the villagers and the Gram Panchayat.
Plantation may be done within the households; along the village roads and water bodies; within the
premises of institutions like schools, health centers, Panchayat Bhawan; and in specifically designated
green areas.
3. Soil samples should be taken and got tested in the nearby labs.
4. Various suitable native plant species should be identified in consultation with IITDAA and their required
quantities should be worked out.
5. Neighboring nurseries/ tree plantation Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should be located and
the availability of the desired saplings should be worked out.
6. Plants, manure, mulch, anti-termite treatment, soil, stakes, etc. should be sourced.
7. Low cost but sturdy tree guards should be arranged to protect the plants until they grow up. They may
bear a name plate saying, Courtesy: Name of the Nodal Officer-IITDAA. They may also carry the name
of the plant sponsor and the planted by name plate.
8. Local labour should be arranged and kept ready.

9. A shallow but broad planting hole should be dug that is 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball of the sapling.
10. When placing the tree in the planting hole, it should be lifted by the root ball and not by the trunk, and
should be straightened in the hole.
11. The trunk flare should be partially visible after plantation of the sapling. In poorly drained or heavily
clayed soils, trees should be planted in such a way that the base of the trunk flare is 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5
cm) above grade.
12. The planting hole should be gently filled with the same soil that came out of the hole.
13. Fertilization should be avoided at the time of planting.
14. When planting bare root stock or when planting on windy sites, trees should be staked. Stakes should be
removed after the first year of growth.
15. Mulching should be done as it keeps the soil temperature fairly steady, boosts soil moisture retention and
hampers weed growth. Commonly available mulches like hay, leaf litter, pine straw, shredded bark, peat
moss, composted wood chips, etc. may be used.
16. Regular plant watering arrangement should be worked out. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.
17. The plants should be watered when the soil below the surface of the mulch becomes dry.
18. Dead, broken and diseased branches should be periodically removed.
19. Trees planted within the households and the institutions may be ornamental, fruit bearing, medicinal or
flower bearing depending upon the choice of its occupants. But IITDAA team must be consulted.
20. Fruit trees should be grafted varieties as such species fruit within a year. Where a tree is not possible or
liked, a grape vine or a bush may be planted.
21. Trees planted in close proximity to homes should generally be of low height so as not to block the sun in
winters.
22. Tress should have plenty of vertical and horizontal room for canopy and roots so that they don’t ingress
into the houses.
23. Trees should be planted along the roads in consultation with the local road/utilities department to avoid
mutual interference and prevent indiscriminate, lop sided chopping by the relevant departments.
24. One of the road stretches lined with the newly planted trees may be chosen as a model roadside plantation
road and may be named, Name of the Nodal Officer-IITDAA Marg. The Nodal Officer may also decide
any other suitable name but the selected name must prominently include IITDAA. Efforts should be made
to integrate all the VAPUSI-IITDAA projects for this stretch. For example, the IITDAA patronized local
library can have all the information about its trees; the treated grey water can be considered for watering
the planted trees; the solid waste project can cater to the compost needs of its trees, etc. Further, it can
have 1 x 1 m base area around the tree trunks for perennial flowering plants; well-marked robust tree
guards; combinational sequence of trees, etc. Likewise for pond sides. All this must be carried out in
consultation with IITDAA.
25. Trees planted in the institutions and prominent places may be ornamental, fruit bearing, medicinal or
flower bearing and named after those residents of the village who made significant contributions to the
VAPUSI program. . IITDAA should be consulted to get recommendations for a couple of exotic varieties
that can lend charm and character to the institutional landscape.
26. All the planted trees should be get numbered by the state forest departments.
27. An account of the planted trees should be maintained, and their growth and survival should be tracked.
28. The plantation project can be a unique opportunity to extend the brand image of IITDAA. It can also be
an opportunity to extend a modest recognition of the efforts put in by all the associated persons.
Accordingly, inaugural functions and other milestone functions should be held with media coverage and
their pictures, documents, etc. should be uploaded in the library.

Additional Component
1. In addition to the above, incessant efforts should be made to convince the Panchayat/concerned authority
to segregate a tract of 2 to 5 acres land for use exclusively as a local forest. This may be named, Name of
the Nodal Officer-IITDAA Greens. The Nodal Officer may also decide any other suitable name but the
selected name must prominently include IITDAA.
2. Trees in the proposed local forest should be a combination of hardy trees which can yield wood/firewood
and are bird friendly with one or more small water bodies. At least 10 trees may be named after IIT Delhi
faculty members/directors and 10 after prominent Indian scientists/agriculturists/social workers, etc.
Another 10 trees may be named after IIT Delhi alumni who gave extraordinary contribution to VAPUSI-
IITDAA. Local residents may name the remaining trees after their near and dear ones.
3. Roads, footpath should not be allowed in the forest at all. Access by bicycles, bikes, etc. should also be
barred by natural obstacles like boulders. Besides, no utility line or structure should be allowed here. All
activity requiring human interaction should be restricted to the peripheral area located near the solo
entrance. The entire area should be cordoned off using a bio fence.
4. A couple of discarded containers/pre-fabricated structures with a portable toilet with septic tank, may be
placed on the periphery of the forest for caretaker’s/gardener’s living accommodation and forest storage.
5. A water harvesting area may be created inside this forest. It should also accept treated water from IITDAA
patronized wastewater schemes.
6. A small dense central forest patch may be made a nature reserve with no access to humans (Except
authorized staff). It should house native plants and plants that attract bees and other pollinating insects.
No dead wood or twigs should be removed from this section and gradually it can become a sanctuary for
native flora and fauna. Its access should be barred by a bio fence.
7. The peripheral part of this forest may be used as a nursery to develop saplings for future plantations. A
section of this area may also be reserved for bee keeping and can be managed by a local guy who may be
given claim to the honey produced. The Bee keeping area will encourage bees which are now threatened
by extinction but are essential for pollination of crops.
8. Another peripheral part may be used as a composting area for solid organic waste from local IITDAA
solid waste project. The generated compost may be used internally and later sold, if extra.
9. It may have another small area reserved for commercial plantations. The firewood and twigs may be made
available to the low income population. The regular wood may also be given for local cremation ground.
10. A small camping area (Couple of small camps) accessible only on foot may also be built to encourage
outdoors among kids. This area should be within the forest but not inside the nature reserve.