This year, Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) and United Way Mumbai are joining hands in a powerful commitment - a commitment towards the environment and a sustainable future. Together, we are dedicated not only to ensuring the well-being of communities through sustained livelihoods but also mitigating climate change and have a sustainable environment for future generations.
Registering for TMM this year will enable every stakeholder to participate and contribute to the plantation of tree/s in the TMM Agro Forest by upgrading to the TMM Green Bib during registration and becoming an Evergreener.
What is the TMM GREEN BIB?
The TMM Green Bib allows you to contribute to the ecological enhancement of rural habitat through sustainable framing by plantation and maintenance of trees in the TMM Agro Forest. Your contribution will result not just in giving livelihood to the farmer who provides their land to the Agro Forest initiative but also in improving the quality of air, soil, and biodiversity of that village. It will promote more pollinators and provide nesting trees to birds that will control pests and prevent unforeseen agricultural losses.
Every person who registers for a race category (including virtual) will have the option to upgrade to a TMM Green Bib. The minimum contribution is one tree. You can contribute more than one tree. The contribution can be made at the point of registration or via further donation/fundraising.
Investment Per Tree
Growing a tree does not stop at a sapling being planted. A tree needs to be taken care of for a minimum of 3 years for it to be self-sufficient and establish a good habitat for bio-diversity as a balanced ecosystem in itself. The contribution to the growth of 1 tree for 3 years is INR 635 (barely Rs. 200/ year). The cost includes the plantation of saplings, protection, irrigation, nourishment, maintenance, assessment of ecological parameters like soil and bio-diversity, and supervision for the period.
The TMM Green Bib will have a different palette on Race Day and will be cherished by the participant, the Evergreener, for the contribution their tree/s made to the climate in the region and the sustenance provided to the farmer providing the land.
People who have not got the opportunity to own a TMM Green Bib, and yet want to be part of the TMM Agro Forest initiative, can donate below.
Agroforests and their Impact on Climate Change
Today high input costs, environmental degradation, and climate change have generated new challenges for many vast areas of farmlands.
Agroforestry, an ancient method of sustainable agriculture that nurtures natural ecosystems, could reverse these disturbing trends, according to researchers. It introduces native trees that are compatible to the regional ecology into farms and the agricultural landscape and enables economically viable production while significantly restoring land, mitigating climate change, and safeguarding local biodiversity.It promotes balanced land use and biological control instead of synthetic pest management.
Encroachment and the conversion of forests into flat lands and farms, mono-cropping, and uniform agricultural practices over large landscapes for generations have led to imbalanced population growth in some species, while others have become extinct due to non-natural selection. Species that adapted and established themselves in the food chain are now considered pests. Agroforestry models help create buffer zones between farms to prevent epidemics.
Today high input costs, environmental degradation, and climate change have generated new challenges for many vast areas of farmlands.
Agroforestry, an agricultural method that nurtures natural ecosystems, could reverse these disturbing trends, according to researchers. It introduces trees into farms and the agricultural landscape and enables economically viable production while significantly restoring land, mitigating climate change, and safeguarding local biodiversity.
Agri-Horti Model for TMM Agro Forest
Our intervention involves a strategic greening initiative targeting farmers in rural areas. The approach is to promote horticultural tree plantations integrated with agriculture on the same land. This will mitigate risks linked to mono-cropping and enhance farmers' resilience against climate change factors, such as delayed monsoons, consecutive rain delays, and rising temperatures.
Our intervention involves a strategic greening initiative targeting farmers in rural areas. The approach is to promote horticultural tree plantations integrated with agriculture on the same land. This will mitigate risks linked to mono-cropping and enhance farmers' resilience against climate change factors, such as delayed monsoons, consecutive rain delays, and rising temperatures.
Geography for TMM Agro Forest
Solapur District in Maharashtra.
Agri-Horti Plantation Model of Agroforestation
The agri-horti plantation model will be promoted on the farmlands in multiples of 1 acre per farmer. This approach aims to extend benefits to multiple farmers instead of single landowners. The model serves three main objectives:
- Diversified Solutions: By promoting the cultivation of agriculture and horticulture crops, we aim to mitigate the risk of mono-cropping and enhance overall productivity, offering sustainable solutions to various farmers. This model of agro-forestry is a mix of fruit bearing trees in a stratified pattern committed to the efficient utilization of land.
- Increased Income: With a blend of agriculture and horticulture, the agri-horti plantation model seeks to boost income per acre for farmers, creating more robust and resilient farming systems. Selection of variety is done based on seasonal fruiting habits so that farmers get fruits throughout the year. Biological control of pests through habitat establishment for insectivorous birds reduces investment into synthetic pesticides.
- Enhanced Biodiversity: Through tree plantation boosts ecosystem health by improving soil quality and creating diverse habitats. Horticultural trees offer essential nesting, breeding spaces, and food resources for various organisms across the food chain. This leads to a balanced and resilient ecosystem, supporting a wide range of species and promoting sustainable land management. Over time, these benefits foster long-term environmental stability and support farmers by enhancing soil fertility and reducing the need for artificial inputs.
By adopting this Agri-Horti Plantation Model of Agroforestry, farmers can cultivate diverse crops, increase their income potential, and contribute to soil health and environmental sustainability.
United Way Mumbai and our team of experts will undertake maintenance, monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment at regular intervals.
Inclusion for projects in other geographies
If you or your organisation would like to be part of the TMM Agro Forest initiative in a location other than the designated Solapur farm-lands, you can get in touch with us on tmm@unitedwaymumbai.org
