The three-day summer and flower festival, which concluded here on Sunday, attracted 7,657 tourists from far and near.
Inaugurated by Commercial Taxes Minister S. N. Ubayadulla and presided over by the Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S. Arumugam on May 28, the festival featured nearly one lakh flowers of different varieties to woo the tourists.
Attractions
The main attractions in the festival were Micky Mouse, Standing Queen, Flying Horse etc - all made of flowers.
Various departments had put up stalls. Art and cultural events were also performed for the enjoyment of visitors to the show.
Boat races were held as part of the event. Dog show was also conducted in which a dog of Boxer breed had become a champion.
Besides, competitions for women also were organized by the Social Welfare Department.
Collector J. Chandrakumar also awarded best stall shield to District Rural Development Agency.
On the first day, State Forest Minister N. Selvaraj said that the State had undertaken various efforts to improve forest cover.
Under the second phase, saplings would be planted in 1.77 lakh acres at a cost of Rs. 567 crore.
Saplings
The department would plant 1.50 crore saplings this year.
Union Minister of State for Heath S. Gandhiselvan, who also took part in the function, said that the rail line works between Salem and Karur would be completed next year.
Steps were taken to provide an alternative ghat road to Kolli Hills at a cost of Rs. 11 crore.
Super specialist hospitals would be set up in Coimbatore, Tiruchi and Madurai too as in Salem.
Mr. Arumugam said that he would take steps to provide electricity to all tribal villages in Yercaud.
