Addressing population growth and environmental degradation

Weforest is partnering with SAWED TRUST – a recognized local non-profit organization- to work towards the empowerment of underprivileged women and children, with health, vocational training and education programs. We train local communities in the Sirumalai Hills in sustainable reforestation to address food insecurity caused by population growth, land degradation and water shortage. We know that planting as little as 8.500 trees for example, creates 1 permanent and 3 temporary jobs- which we reserve in priority to women- to help these families feed their children and send them to school.

The Sirumalai Hills are situated at the extreme South of India, in the Tamil Nadu state.
According to the World Bank this region combines high performing manufacturing hubs with a rapidly growing IT sector and is well poised to make the transition to a middle-income economy in the next five years.

Nevertheless, Tamil Nadu faces many development challenges such as high poverty incidence, and marked social, inter-district and rural/urban disparities. The state also faces high rate of child malnutrition and high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tuberculosis is re-emerging and non-communicable diseases are on the rise. The state has among the highest unemployment rates in the country. The economy faces critical water scarcity and land degradation issues.