As part of a mass tree planting campaign, about 2.25 lakh saplings are to planted in the district this year. Last year, during the birthday celebrations of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the CM had ordered 2.25 lakh saplings to be planted in the district for increasing green cover. In continuation with the programme, it was decided to plant the same number of trees in the district this year , said Collector Jayashree Muralidharan while addressing a meeting of officials here on Thursday.
Ms.Muralidharan said that with the cooperation of locals, an additional four lakh saplings should be planted this year so the district could become a role model for other districts.
She instructed officials to dug pits for planting saplings at open spaces in schools, colleges, industrial houses, collectorate, government offices, government hospitals, primary health centres, village panchayat union offices, veterinary hospitals, and mandal offices. Saplings would be provided by the forest department under the Social Forestry Scheme in August and September to make the most of monsoon season. Nihar Ranjan, DFO (Social Forestry Scheme), was present.