“True service to the community is service to God.”
Shanthimalai Amma
Mrs. Anne Maier
The people of India are profoundly impacted by climate change, a continuing threat to agriculture, water security, and the livelihoods of millions, particularly those in rural communities. The Environmental Stewardship program run by Shanthimalai, our partner in South India, works in coordination with the local government to keep the area around the Holy Mountain Arunachala “clean and green” through a group of integrated initiatives.
Honoring Arunachala
Before the government of India initiated the Clean India Mission, Shantimalai Amma began quietly cleaning the ancient pilgrimage road around Arunachala, inspiring others to support this effort.
Shantimalai’s Girivalam Seva Project (GVS) Even before the government of India initiated the Clean India Mission in 2014, Shanthimalai Amma began quietly cleaning the ancient pilgrimage road around Arunachala, the Holy Mountain in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Through her example, others became inspired to support this effort. This was the first of many projects designed to care for the local environment and promote awareness of critical issues that impact us globally.
As a spiritual center, Arunachala regularly attracts hundreds of thousands of people, creating tons of trash especially at full moon and on festival days. In the past, bags and food containers were biodegradable, but now plastic waste pollutes the groundwater and life-sustaining wells run dry when trash blocks water inflow.
Shanthimalai and local government agencies have begun collaborating to maintain the road around Arunachala. 250 GVS barrels are emptied regularly in an effort to keep a 4 mile stretch of road free from trash.
Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Award In 2021, Shanthimalai received the “Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Award” in recognition of Amma’s ongoing efforts to care for the pilgrimage path and protect the environment. Since then, Shanthimalai has received numerous awards for its outstanding work.
Environmental Education Center:
A model farm and forestry project promoting the responsible use of natural resources
The Environmental Education Center
Situated on 22 acres of previously abandoned land at the foot of Arunachala, the Environmental Center explores innovative organic technologies through a number of integrated projects and hosts training workshops for students, local farmers, and interested government officials. All of the projects described below are part of Shanthimalai’s approach to working on issues of critical importance in learning to care more responsibly for our planet.
The Green Earth Mission works with students from local schools to plant native, drought resistant trees, helping the next generation take meangingful action as they begin to develop a deeper relationship with the earth.
The Green Earth Mission works with students from local schools to plant thousands of native, drought-resistant trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, release oxygen, and reduce greenhouse gas levels to help mitigate climate change. They replenish groundwater reserves and improve water quality. Most students come from families without land and with little or no experience in caring for their environment. They learn how to plant and nurture trees and about the animals that live among them. The project creates opportunities for the future generation to develop a deeper relationship with the earth and to take meaningful action.
In collaboration with the district administration, Shanthimalai hopes to grow 500 different varieties of native, drought-resistant trees in the immediate area. Staff members and their friends kicked off the project by donating 600 trees which they planted themselves.
The Model Organic Farm includes 5 acres of vegetables and plants. A large organic herb garden contains turmeric and other medicinal herbs used in South India for centuries. One acre is planted with pest-resistant peanuts which fix nitrogen in the soil.
Agroforestry principles: The fully organic model farm uses agroforestry principles. This means farming and forestry are integrated to create a healthy, productive balance.
Organic compost fertilizer: Biodegradable waste is converted into bio manure. Girivalam Seva workers collected and segregated 60 metric tons of organic refuse from the road. They then shredded the collected waste and mixed it with cow manure to create organic compost fertilizer. This will be used in tree planting and to enrich soil seeded with cash crops. A battery-operated vehicle was purchased for transporting waste, reducing the consumption of diesel.
Biodigester: The existing bio-digester has been revamped, converting organic waste into organic Biofertilizer and Biogas. Processing organic waste in this way completes the life cycle, returning nutrients back to the soils and providing fuel for cooking.
Aquaculture and Irrigation: Water conservation and management is critical to agricultural sustainability, especially in semi-arid South India. A pond, measuring 100’ x 70’, has already been dug and prepared to collect rainwater which will be used for irrigation. Fish and lotus plants will be cultivated in the pond to facilitate cleansing the water of pollutants before the water is used on the organic crops. Four acres have been equipped with a drip irrigation system with filters and a venturi system to inject liquid organic manure into the water. The organic fertilizer manufacturing unit and distribution system were designed as training tools for farmers as well as for our own usage.
Herbal Garden: The medicinal use of herbs has been practiced in South India for thousands of years. Herbs are grown organically and sold as remedies and as plant starters for local gardens.
The Star Forest is comprised of three concentric rings. The innermost ring is planted with twelve trees, each one associated with a sign of the Zodiac. Trees in second ring represent each of the planets. The third ring is planted with trees corresponding to each of the main constellations.
The Star Forest: The overall atmosphere of the Star Forest is peaceful and meditative – and it’s fascinating to discover which tree correlates to your own zodiac sign. The trees are planted in a very large circle with a path you can walk. All of the trees are all labeled. For many of the students who visit, the Star Forest is their favorite part of the Environmental Center because they feel the special energy there!
The Training Center promotes increased environmental awareness by regularly hosting workshops on the responsible use of natural resources through integrated organic farming methods.
The Training Center: Workshop topics have included empowerment training for women, integrated natural farming, rainwater collection, the dangers of single-use plastics, and herb gardening.
Support Environmental Awareness & Stewardship. Please consider honoring Arunachala’s ancient, holy atmosphere by making a contribution to the Girivalam Service Project today.
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