Cauvery calling is an initiative done by Sadhguru who is the founder of the Isha Foundation in India. This presentation will give information with regards to the topic Rally For River under which the initiative Cauvery Calling is going on. It is very crucial nowadays to understand the importance of Mother Nature and to prevent our rivers from drying out. In India, rivers are considered as Mother-The holy goddess. This presentation will also enlighten the information with regards to Agroforestry. Agroforestry is an efficient concept for us to nurture and to protect our rivers.

1. CAUVERY CALLING
RALLY FOR RIVERS
MARADIA NILKANTH .B.

2. Points of discussion:
• Introduction to Cauvery river.
• Introduction to Cauvery calling initiative.
• River drying.
• Deforestation.
• Disadvantages of deforestation.
• Solutions to prevent river drying.
• Agroforestry.

3. CAUVERY (Mythological story)
THE STORY OF LOPAMUDRA
One story says Lord Brahma had a daughter called Vishnumaya
and she really wished to serve the world at the same time Lord Vishnu
had to transfigure himself as Mohini to kill a reckless demon so Lord
Brahma decides to send Vishnumaya as Lopamudra to assist Mohini.
After some days, a rishi named Kavera comes to Lord Brahma.
His wish was to get an offspring and hence prays Lord Brahma.
Impressed by rishi’s devotion, Lord Brahma decides to give Lopamudra
for adoption.
Thus, Lopamudra becomes the daughter of Rishi Kavera and
assumes the name Kaveri.

4. CAUVERY (Mythological story)
THE STORY OF AGASTYA’S WIFE
Once Sage Agastya sees Kaveri meditating on Brahmagiri Hill.
Infatuated by her beauty, he asks her hand in marriage. Kaveri agrees
to marry on one condition! If at any point in time Sage Agastya leaves
her for long time, she would escape from him. So happens that once
the Sage gets caught in a philosophical discussion and forgets about
Kaveri. As per the agreement, Kaveri transfigures into a river and flows
to fulfil her wishes to serve the people.

5. CAUVERY
• Cauvery is an Indian river flowing through states
of Tamilnadu and Karnataka.
• It is the 4th largest after Godāvari and Mahānadi
river in south India and the largest in Tamilnadu,
which on its course bisects the state into north
and south region.
• Amongst the river valleys the Cauvery delta
forms one of the most fertile regions in the
country.
• It originates from foothills of Western Ghats at
Talkaveri, Kodagu in Karnataka and flows
generally south and east through Karnataka and
Tamilnadu across southern Deccan plateau
through the south-eastern lowlands emptying
the Bay of Bengal through 2 principal mouths in
Poompuhar and Tamilnadu.

6. CAUVERY
• The Cauvery basin is estimated to be 81,155 square kilometres with
many tributaries including Harangi, Hemavati, Kabini, Bhavani,
Lakshmana Tirtha, Noyyal and Arkavati.
• The river’s basin covers 3 states and union territory as follows…
1. Tamilnadu: 63,856 square kilometres.
2. Karnataka: 14,273 square kilometres.
3. Kerala: 2,866 square kilometres.
4. Puducherry: 160 square kilometres.

7. CAUVERY
• The Cauvery has been among the most loved , Cherished and
Celebrated water bodies finding an important place in Tamil literature
right from the Sangam era, spanning from 5th BCE to 3rd century.
• Experts from Silapathikaram says...
“உழவr ஓைத மததகானத
ஓஉட-௺னராணத த பத1இகா3
4ழதவரானத 5றnதார்ப
நடnதாy வா; காஐவ”
“As farmers sing;
As the sounds of sluice gates rise;
As new waters break open
As people celebrate;
You walk! Long live the Cauvery!”

8. CAUVERY
• The primary use of Cauvery is providing water for irrigation, for
household consumption and the generation of electricity.
• An estimate at the time of the first Five Year Plan puts the total flow
of the Kaveri at 15 cubic kilometers (12,000,000 acre ft), of which 60%
was used for irrigation.
• The Torekadanahalli pump station sends 540 million liters (19,000,000
cu ft) per day of water from Kaveri 100 kilometres (62 mi) to
Bangalore.
• The hydroelectric plant built on the left of Sivanasamudra Falls on the
Kaveri in 1902 was the first hydroelectric plant in Asia.
• The Krishna Raja Sagara Dam has a capacity of 49 tmc ft. and the
Mettur Dam which creates Stanley Reservoir has a capacity of 93.4
tmc ft. (thousand million cubic ft)

9. CAUVERY CALLING
• The Cauvery calling is a nation-wide movement in India under rally for rivers.
• This project mainly focus on Cauvery river which flows through the states of Karnataka,
Tamilnadu, Kerala and UT Pondicherry.
• Cauvery has been lifeline of these states for centuries.
• The river has been the matter of dispute for over a decade, because it does not reach the
ocean more than 6 months of the year and its water is depleted shortly after the end of
monsoon, leading farmers to devastation.
• Even drinking water becomes scarce during this season, leading to Cauvery River water
dispute.
• The campaign started at the end of July 2019.
• Cauvery river has been chosen as a model for demonstration, to implant the action plan
of Sadhguru who is the founder of the Isha Foundation.
• As he says, it was members of UN who said if demonstratable model could be done by
him and then the international institutions would support the cause.

10. CAUVERY CALLING
• Over 121 countries are supporting the campaign throughout the world.
• The campaign had been joined by many foreigners, actors, politicians and also donated
their part of their mission.
• Farmers from over 7000 villages have agreed for agroforestry in their farm.
• Karnataka government has agreed to donate 2 crore saplings.
• Tamilnadu government has agreed to donate 1 crore saplings.
• So if all put together over 5 crore saplings are assured out of 242 crore saplings within a
span of a month.
• 30 states have given official recommendation for Cauvery calling.

11. RIVER DRYING
• Some of the developing world’s largest rivers are drying up.
• There are several reasons like climate change .
• Rivers are losing water for a variety of reasons such as installation of dams and
the excessive usage of water for agriculture and other activities.
• But in many cases decrease of water is because of climate change.
• Climate change alternating the rainfall patterns and increased evaporation due to
high temperature (global warming).
• The Brahmaputra in India and Yangtze in China have higher flows than in the past
but this might not last long as Himalayan glaciers that feed them are
disappearing.

12. RIVER DRYING
• As we endangering water supplies, the decreased river flow could
affect the world’s climate.
• If less freshwater is discharged into the oceans, they become saltier,
which could affect salinity and temperature driven ocean circulation
patterns that in turn play a fundamental role in climate regulation.

13. DEFORESTATION
• Deforestation occurs when forest land is cleared, usually to harvest
the timber or clear space for agricultural operations.
• More than 25% of the land on Earth is covered by forests, but millions
of hectares of this ecosystem are destroyed every year, according to
the University of Michigan.
• Over half of the world’s forests are found in just seven countries:
Brazil, Canada, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia,
Russia, and the United States.
• Therefore, while the disadvantages of deforestation are global, the
decision to clear forest land belongs to only a handful of
governments.

14. DISADVANTAGES OF DEFORESTATION
CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSION
• During photosynthesis, trees and other plants remove carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere, convert it into sugar molecules, and release
oxygen.
• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global
warming.
• Forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help
mitigate the greenhouse effect.
• When trees are cut down, the carbon dioxide they previously
absorbed and stored is released back into the atmosphere.
• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 17% of the
carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is due to deforestation
and the decay of trees and other biomass.

15. DISADVANTAGES OF DEFORESTATION
SOIL EROSION
• The roots of plants anchor soil to the ground.
• When deforestation occurs, topsoil erosion increases because there are no roots
to hold the soil in place, and no vegetation to break the force of falling rain.
• According to the World Wildlife Fund, half of the world’s topsoil has eroded away
within the past 150 years.
• Erosion washes soil into nearby waterways, where the increased sedimentation
and pollution damages marine habitats and affects local populations that fish or
drink from the water source.
• Additionally, the erosion of topsoil decreases soil fertility and hurts the very
agricultural efforts that are often the impetus for deforestation.
• In the Amazon rainforest, pasture and cropland dominate the clearcut sections of
forest.
• Sedimentary runoff from deforested areas contaminates rivers, affecting
everyone who uses that water.

16. DISADVANTAGES OF DEFORESTATION
HABITAT DESTRUCTION
• Deforestation fractures forest habitat.
• Animals use trees for food, shelter, and nesting sites.
• Without trees, animals must find other places to survive or they will
perish.
• Animal populations suffer dramatic losses when their natural habitat
is altered.
• In tropical rainforests, where species diversity is highest, habitat
fragmentation and loss can have significant effects on animal
populations.
• For example, deforestation threatens the habitats of the howler
monkey in the Amazon rainforest and the northern spotted owl in the
Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

17. DISADVANTAGES OF DEFORESTATION
LOSS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
• Forests provide homes for numerous animal species, but they are also
home to countless plant species.
• Scientists at the University of Michigan estimate that only 1% of the
plant species in tropical rainforests have been screened for potential
medicinal use.
• The small percentage of plants that have been studied, several have
proven to have medicinal benefits.
• For example, medicine made from a species of wild periwinkle
growing in Madagascar’s forests is now being used to treat patients
with leukemia and other forms of cancer.
• Deforestation threatens future scientific discoveries of species that
could be useful to mankind.

18. PREVENTION OF RIVER DRYING
• Maintaining a substantial number of trees for at least 1 kilometre
width along the riversides has vast environmental, social and
economic benefits for nation and society.
• Healthy river systems safeguard our water and food for the present
and future generations.
• Secure water resources are essential for individual wellbeing and
India’s industry and commerce.
• Farmers’ incomes increase at least three to four-fold by changing
from crop to organic fruit tree cultivation.
• Farmers, who are the largest section of India’s workforce, are also
among the lowest earning groups. Increasing their income will create
a huge positive impact.
• This will also diversify and boost India’s rural economy significantly.

19. PREVENTION OF RIVER DRYING
• Such large-scale, long-term action can only be sustained through
government policy.
• To create awareness and initiate action on this national issue,
Sadhguru has conceived “Rally for Rivers”, where he will be personally
driving from Kanyakumari to the Himalayas.

20. HOW TREES CAN SAVE OUR RIVERS
• India’s rivers are mainly rain-fed. They flow throughout the year,
even in dry seasons, Because of forests.
• Trees are important in ensuring the perennial rivers flow even when
the rains end.
• Tree roots make the soil porous so that it can absorb rain and hold
water when rain falls.
• This water in the soil is then released into the river gradually
throughout the year.
• If there are no trees, destructive cycle of floods and droughts occur.
• During the monsoon, excess water will flow over the surface and
cause floods because soil does not absorb rain water.
• When the monsoon ends rivers go dry because there is no moisture
in the soil to feed them.
• This is why it is important to maintain substantial tree cover along
riversides.

21. HOW TREES CAN SAVE OUR RIVERS
• Trees along riversides has several benefits according to
scientific studies:
1. Keep rivers perennial.
2. Reduce floods.
3. Combat drought.
4. Recharge groundwater.
5. Normalize rainfall.
6. Combat climate change.
7. Prevent soil erosion.
8. Improve water quality.
9. Enhance soil quality.
10.Protect biodiversity.

22. CONCEPT OF AGROFORESTRY
• Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees or
shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland.
• This intentional combination of agriculture and forestry has varied
benefits, including increased biodiversity and reduced erosion.
• Agroforestry practices have been successful in sub-Saharan Africa and
in parts of the United States.
• The theoretical base for agroforestry comes from ecology, via
agroecology.
• From this perspective, agroforestry is one of the three principal
agricultural land-use sciences.
• The other two are agriculture and forestry.

23. CONCEPT OF AGROFORESTRY
• Agroforestry shares principles with intercropping.
• Both place two or more plant species (such as nitrogen-fixing plants) in close proximity and both
provide multiple outputs.
• As a consequence, overall yields are higher and because a single application or input is shared, costs
are reduced.

24. BENEFITS OF AGROFORESTRY
• Agroforestry systems can be advantageous over conventional
agricultural, and forest production methods.
• They can offer increased productivity, economic benefits, and more
diversity in the ecological goods and services provided.
• An example of this was seen in trying to conserve Milicia excelsa.
• Depending upon the application, positive impacts of agroforestry
comprise different topics.

25. BENEFITS OF AGROFORESTRY
BIODIVERSITY
• Biodiversity in agroforestry systems is typically higher than in conventional agricultural
systems.
• Two or more interacting plant species in a given area create a more complex habitat that can
support a wider variety of fauna.
• Agroforestry is important for biodiversity for different reasons.
• It provides a more diverse habitat than a conventional agricultural system.
• Tropical bat and bird diversity for instance can be comparable to the diversity in natural
forests.
• Although agroforestry systems do not provide as many floristic species as forests and do not
show the same canopy height, they do provide food and nesting possibilities.
• A further contribution to biodiversity is that the germplasm of sensitive species can be
preserved.
• As agroforests have no natural clear areas, habitats are more uniform.
• Furthermore, agroforests can serve as corridors between habitats.
• Agroforestry can help to conserve biodiversity by having a positive influence on other
ecosystem services.

26. BENEFITS OF AGROFORESTRY
SOIL AND PLANT GROWTH
• Depleted soils can be protected from soil erosion by groundcover plants such as naturally growing
grasses in agroforestry systems.
• These help to stabilize the soil as they increase cover compared to short-cycle cropping systems.
• Soil cover is a crucial factor in preventing erosion.
• Cleaner water through reduced nutrient and soil surface runoff can be a further advantage of
agroforestry.
• The runoff can be reduced by decreasing its velocity and increasing infiltration into the soil.
• Compared to row-cropped fields nutrient uptake can be higher and reduce nutrient loss into
streams.
• Further advantages concerning plant growth:
1. Bioremediation.
2. Drought resistance.
3. Increased crop stability.

27. CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS• Reduced poverty through increased production of wood and other
products.
• Increased food security by restored soil fertility for food crops.
• Multifunctional site use, e.g. crop production and animal grazing.
• Reduced global warming and hunger risk by increasing the number of
drought-resistant trees and the subsequent production of fruits, nuts
and edible oils.
• Reduced deforestation and pressure on woodlands by providing farm-
grown fuelwood.
• Reduced need for toxic chemicals (insecticides, herbicides, etc.).
• Improved human nutrition through more diverse farm outputs.
• Growing space for medicinal plants, e.g. in situations where people
have limited access to mainstream medicines.

28. APPLICATION OF AGROFORESTRY
• Agroforestry encompasses diverse applications such as countering
winds, high rainfall, harmful insects, etc.
• Some categories are described in the following sections:
1. Hillside systems.
2. Parkland.
3. Shade systems.
4. Crop-Over-Tree systems.
5. Alley cropping.
6. Strip cropping.
7. Fauna-based systems.
8. Boundary systems.
9. Taungya.
10. Physical support systems.

29. CHALLENGES IN AGROFORESTRY
• Although, agroforestry systems can be advantageous compared to conventional
agriculture/forestry, but it is not widespread.
• Obstacles (ordered most critical to least critical) to agroforestry adoption include:
1. Lack of developed markets.
2. Unfamiliarity with technologies.
3. Lack of awareness.
4. Competition between trees, crops and animals.
5. Lack of financial assistance.
6. Lack of apparent profit potential.
7. Lack of demonstration sites.
8. Expense of additional management.
9. Lack of training or expertise.
10. Lack of knowledge about where to market products.

30. CHALLENGES IN AGROFORESTRY
11. Lack of technical assistance.
12. Adoption/start up costs, including costs of time.
13. Unfamiliarity with alternative marketing approaches (e.g. web).
14. Unavailability of information about agroforestry.
15. Apparent inconvenience Lack of infrastructure (e.g. buildings, equipment).
16. Lack of equipment.
17. Insufficient land.
18. Lack of seed/seedling sources.
19. Lack of scientific research.

31. MARADIA NILKANTH