Cauvery Calling revives a dying river with 134 million trees and counting
A large-scale environmental campaign is transforming farming along the Cauvery River. Known as Cauvery Calling, the movement has already planted 13.4 crore trees and aims to reach 242 crore. Its goal is to restore the river’s dwindling water flow and boost farmers’ livelihoods through tree-based agriculture. The Cauvery River has faced severe decline over the past seven decades. Water flow has dropped by over 40%, while tree cover has shrunk by 87%. In response, spiritual leader Sadhguru launched the Save Soil - Cauvery Calling initiative to reverse this damage.
The movement provides farmers with 54 varieties of subsidised saplings, including high-value timber species. So far, 2.6 lakh farmers have adopted tree-based farming with its support. Free consultations from over 200 field executives help them transition to sustainable practices.
One success story comes from Valluvan, a UN-awarded farmer. He credited the campaign with improving his soil health and increasing his income. Looking ahead, the project plans to plant another 1.2 crore saplings in 2026-27.
Anand Ethirajalu, Project Director of Save Soil - Cauvery Calling, noted that the initiative has already reshaped farming methods for thousands. The long-term vision remains clear: revive the river and secure farmers’ futures through large-scale tree plantation. Cauvery Calling has made steady progress, with 13.4 crore trees planted and 2.6 lakh farmers adopting new techniques. The next phase targets 1.2 crore additional saplings by 2027. If successful, the campaign could significantly restore the river’s ecosystem and strengthen rural economies.
