Using Bamboo, Millets & Dirt, Kerala Student Grows an ‘Evergreen’ Christmas Tree!

Traditionally, in the run-up to Christmas, evergreen conifer trees are chopped down and decorated inside homes.

Adorned with bells, tinsel, baubles, candy etc., these trees look beautiful, no doubt, but sometimes we must ask ourselves uncomfortable questions. For example, are celebrations worth the cost to the environment?

It is apparent that many people have thought about this because nowadays, plastic trees have become a popular alternative. However, Alan from Kerala has taken a wholly unconventional route and is giving us a lesson in celebrating a green Christmas.

Alan is a student of Class 9 and a resident of Ambalavayal, a village in the Wayanad district. This festive season, he decided to grow a Christmas tree instead of merely decorating one.

However, instead of planting a tree and waiting for years before it grows fully, he came up with a unique idea.

About a week before Christmas, Alan got a bamboo frame—in the shape of a Christmas tree—which was also taller than him. He covered this frame in the soil so that it looked like a brown conical pile of mud. In this, he planted seeds of Foxtail millet—one of the most widely planted species of millet, that is rich in carbohydrates but doesn’t increase blood sugar levels.

You may also like: Kerala Engineer Duo Set Up Smart Gardens That Let You Grow Veggies Inside Your Home!

He watered the ‘tree’ every day to ensure that the planted seeds sprouted and grew into a beautiful, lush and unique Christmas tree.

Satheesh Kumar, a resident of Wayanad, happened to cross this incredible innovation and inspired by the novel idea, decided to share it on Facebook.

The post was shared last Thursday, but by Christmas Eve, the frame would have blossomed into a lush tree.

Unique ideas like these always make festivals merrier and more joyous. By giving an eco-friendly twist to traditions and customs, you too can have a responsible but fun festive season. Read here to know more about you can make your Christmas green.

Also, if you are still hunting for meaningful presents for your loved ones, click on the link here.

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

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