Seeman’s “Save Tree” Conference & Tree-Hugging Movement Worldwide

In recent weeks, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman drew public attention when he was seen hugging and kissing a tree near Thiruthani, Thamizh Naadu. This symbolic gesture was more than just a photo opportunity—it was the opening statement for his upcoming “Marangal Maanadu” (Tree Conference) scheduled for August 30, 2025. With the slogan “Let’s speak to trees; let’s speak for trees,” the initiative highlights the urgent need for tree conservation and deeper engagement with ecological issues.

 

Seeman’s tree-hugging act was tied to a broader campaign. Alongside this promotion, he also led a protest in Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats, advocating for the restoration of traditional forest grazing rights. With over 500 cattle accompanying the march, the protest merged livelihood struggles with environmental protection, signalling his vision of eco-conscious politics rooted in rural realities.

 

The Symbolism of Tree Hugging

Tree hugging has long been a powerful act of ecological symbolism. By physically embracing a tree, activists visually and emotionally convey humanity’s connection with nature. Seeman’s act mirrors such historic gestures, linking local activism with a broader global tradition of ecological resistance and reverence for the natural world.

Symbolic and Political Layers:

• Seeman, leader of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), sparked attention by physically embracing a tree near Thiruthani, accompanied by a symbolic kiss, to announce and promote the Marangal Maanadu – a conference dedicated to trees scheduled for August 30, 2025. The slogan? “Let's speak to trees; let's speak for trees.”
• This gesture took place during a larger protest related to forest and grazing rights in Tamil Nadu's Western Ghats. Seeman led a procession that included nearly 500 cattle and urged the restoration of traditional grazing rights and tokens — actions that also brought attention to broader environmental concerns.
• The tree-hugging act is a powerful symbol of environmental stewardship and mirrors similar gestures used in historic ecological protests and movements.
• This visual dramatization aligns with Seeman’s broader agenda—consolidating attention toward conservation, rural livelihoods, and environmental justice. 

Global Echoes of the Tree-Hugging Movement

Seeman’s initiative does not stand alone. Around the world, similar movements have used the simple act of hugging a tree as a form of protest, prayer, and protection.

• Chipko Movement (1970s, Uttarakhand, India): Villagers, particularly women, embraced trees to stop commercial logging. This nonviolent resistance influenced India’s Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and became an icon of grassroots environmentalism.

• Bishnoi Resistance (1730, Rajasthan): In one of the earliest recorded instances, Amrita Devi and over 350 members of the Bishnoi community sacrificed their lives by clinging to trees to prevent their felling. Their martyrdom led to royal decrees banning tree cutting in Bishnoi lands.

• Tree Day (2016, Hyderabad): Urban activists protested a road expansion project that threatened KBR National Park. Participants hugged trees, tied sacred threads, and took selfies to highlight ecological and cultural bonds with the forest.

Why It Matters

 By linking his Marangal Maanadu with such a globally resonant act, Seeman reinforces the message that conservation is not just about policy but also about cultural and emotional connection with the natural world. The act of hugging a tree becomes a unifying gesture that transcends political boundaries, drawing attention to both ecological crisis and human responsibility. 

Comparison Table

Seeman and NTK’s Stand on Environmental Conservation in Tamil Nadu

For more than 16 years, Seeman and the Naam Tamilar Katchi have consistently placed environmental conservation at the core of their political identity. Unlike many mainstream parties that often treat ecological issues as secondary, NTK has developed a distinctive narrative that links Tamil identity, farmers’ rights, and environmental protection.

Some of their major campaigns and actions include:

•  Save Kumari Mountain Campaign: Seeman and NTK opposed destructive quarrying and commercial exploitation in the Kanyakumari region, highlighting the need to preserve the ecological and cultural sanctity of the area.

• Save the Ghats Campaign: The party has actively protested against deforestation and encroachment in the Western Ghats, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, insisting on strict protection against industrial and political exploitation.

• Aadu Maadugal Conference: Through this conference dedicated to sheep and cattle herders, NTK emphasized the ancient relationship between Tamil pastoral communities and the environment. It highlighted the need to protect grazing rights, water bodies, and traditional livelihoods that are deeply tied to ecological balance.

4. Tree-Planting and Awareness Drives: Across Tamil Nadu, NTK cadres have organized local campaigns to plant native trees, protect lakes, and restore water bodies. These acts are positioned not as token events but as part of a long-term ecological vision.

• Opposition to Industrial Exploitation: Seeman has been vocal against environmentally harmful projects—be it sand mining, illegal quarrying, or industrial pollution—that threaten Tamil Nadu’s rivers, coasts, and agricultural lands.

Through these efforts, NTK has cultivated an image of being the green guardians of Tamil Nadu, blending environmentalism with cultural revivalism. For Seeman, protecting land, water, and forests is not just an ecological duty but also a matter of Tamil identity, survival, and sovereignty..

In Summary

• Seeman’s "Marangal Maanadu" employs a poignant and visually striking act—tree hugging—to spotlight environmental issues and rural community rights.
• These symbolic gestures resonate deeply because they echo a rich history of environmental activism in India—from the sacrificial courage of the Bishnois to the impactful Chipko protests, and urban eco-awareness actions like Tree Day.
• Whether as ritual, protest, or political statement, tree hugging continues to carry powerful messages: of unity with nature, resistance to exploitation, and the imperative to protect our green heritage.

Conclusion: The Way Forward for Environmental Conservation in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu stands at a crossroads: rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, and climate change continue to place immense pressure on its forests, mountains, rivers, and coasts. Yet, the state also possesses a rich legacy of ecological wisdom—from the Bishnoi martyrs of Rajasthan to the Chipko women of Uttarakhand, and now to movements within Tamil Nadu like Save Kumari Mountain and the Marangal Maanadu.

The way forward demands a multi-layered approach:

1. Policy-Level Protection – Stronger enforcement of environmental laws, stricter controls on quarrying, sand mining, and deforestation.
2. Community-Centered Conservation – Involving farmers, herders, and indigenous communities in shaping policies that affect their land and water.
3. Youth and Public Participation – Making tree planting, water conservation, and eco-literacy central to schools and universities.
4. Cultural Integration – Recognizing that in Tamil society, land, water, and nature are part of identity, not separate from it. Reviving this worldview ensures long-term commitment.
5. Green Politics – Encouraging political movements, like NTK, to keep the environment at the center of their agenda, pushing other parties to follow suit.

Tamil Nadu’s ecological future lies not just in laws and projects but in nurturing a culture where protecting a tree is equal to protecting life itself. The symbolic act of hugging a tree—whether by a farmer, activist, or politician—reminds us that survival depends on harmony with nature.