I should tell you that Arunachala mountain rises in the centre of a plain encircled by groups of hills. In the north and south westerly directions there are vast areas of forest about twenty five kilometers distant, but the mountain itself and the plain surrounding it have been denuded almost entirely in recent centuries. The town of Thiruvannamalai on the east side of the mountain became District Headquarters some twenty years ago causing an unprecedented increase in population. Over-exploitation of water has been endemic ever since. During these years an enforced awareness of environmental mismanagement has contributed towards the present day upsurge in intention on the part of some of us to reforest the potentially resourceful mountain. We're heading here towards 'most of us'.

The Arunachala Kadu Siva Plantation area is undoubtedly the most beautiful, most protected and gentlest on the formidable mountain; the very best site for plantation. It includes streams from the slopes, a delta area – potentially extremely powerful for conservation of water - as well as recently renovated ponds and one tank that is the most reliable and secure water tank in the entire area. 

This six hundred hectare plantation site is bordered by extensive wilderness. The only remaining virgin forest for a radius of thirty kilometers stands within a short walk from the site: our invaluable seed bank. Although there are patches of extremely rough stony soil on the exposed slopes, much of the soil in this area – particularly beside the streams and in the delta area - is quite rich. Our choice of sites for plantation of each species honours the dictates of these conditions.

During the dry months we are bunding and providing barricades to prevent loss of soil by erosion during the rainy season. When the rains come, we are constantly observing the surface soil run-off to improve our earth conservation works. The lemon-grass now covering the slopes - with roots preventing erosion and stalks providing summer fire hazard - is being managed to maintain the anti-erosion facility and prevent the fire potential. On the main body of the slopes lemongrass roots are left but the stalks are cut at the end of spring and used as mulch. Barren fire-breaks are cut, taking roots and stalks.

 The climate of this area has very little cool weather - sometimes in December. The rest of the year is hot. From end of March to end of June is very hot. Temperatures remain above the mid thirties and can frequently exceed forty-five degrees Celsius for many weeks. Our work is dependent upon the vagaries of season. First rains enable the soil to be broken for new pits, second rain enable us to put saplings in the pits on the slopes of the mountain. Some rains come unexpectedly between June and October, but the most reliable rains come in November to mid January. If there is sufficient early rain, it is possible some years to begin planting much earlier, in August.

Our project is one facet of the process of Greening of Arunachala.