The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Plan to landscape area along MRTS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 15, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Plan to landscape area along MRTS

Staff Reporter

Voluntary organisation Nizhal to assist Satyam Foundation i

CHENNAI: Nizhal, a voluntary organisation to promote tree protection in urban areas, will assist Satyam Foundation in landscaping the open area along a stretch of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).

Satyam Foundation has consulted Nizhal for inputs on suitable tree and shrub species for the landscaping proposal, said Nizhal trustee Shobha Menon. The organisation has linked organic farming expert Raghavendra Rao to the project. The stretch opposite Tidel Park would be taken up first.

Anniversary celebrated

“There is a need for sensitive greening. Species that encourage diversity and attract birds and butterflies must be planted,” Ms. Menon said, at the second anniversary celebration of Nizhal held here on Saturday. The organisation is working with the Chennai Corporation and the Highways Department to encourage planting of such shrubs on road medians.

The organisation has also submitted a plan for about 4,000 trees on 98 acres belonging to the Armed Forces in Avadi. Volunteers have made tree surveys to document plant species and tree health in Valmiki Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur. The results have been compiled into an interactive digital map.

Booklet released

Booklets on ‘How to raise a tree’ (English and Tamil editions) were released on the occasion. The booklet gives information on the support that a sapling requires during its early days. Tree species suited for urban areas are listed in the booklet. Botanist P. Dayanandan, former chief urban planner G. Dattatri and other experts participated in the celebrations.

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