The Social problem :

Madurai and Tamil Nadu cities face critical environmental crises: urban temperatures have risen 1.5°C over two decades, over 60% of green cover is lost, and groundwater has depleted by 1.2 meters. These challenges create severe health, financial, and social impacts on vulnerable families and children. Rapid post-1990s urbanisation prioritised concrete infrastructure over ecology, replacing trees with buildings and eliminating wetlands. The crisis extends beyond environmental loss—younger generations grow increasingly disconnected from nature, unaware of ecological responsibility. Urban households struggle with rising temperatures and water scarcity while communities face biodiversity decline, poor air quality, and weakened climate awareness, creating a cycle of ecological and social degradation.

The Social solution:

Nanneer’s VANAM initiative transforms environmental care into a community-driven movement where families adopt and nurture fully grown trees, restoring green spaces and ecological responsibility. Operating in Madurai and surrounding regions, Nanneer provides tree adoption kits including 5-6 foot trees, guards, display boards, and manure. A mobile app enables tree requests and allocation, while a customised community truck conducts daily neighbourhood events promoting urban greening. Participants earn reward points for planting, monthly social media progress posts, and referrals, competing on leaderboards for annual recognition. This integrated approach, combining technology, education, and grassroots participation, builds a community of nature custodians, creating a cooler, greener, sustainable Tamil Nadu.