A plan to plant 2 lakh saplings has been launched in the Alappuzha Assembly constituency. The programme, a pet project of Alappuzha MLA and Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, is to be taken up in phases.
As many as 7,500 saplings have already been planted in Mararikkulam South grama panchayat, as part of the project. Dr. Isaac had promised in his election manifesto to plant as many saplings as his victory margin in the elections. The project is being linked with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. It envisages protection of environment and reduction of carbon footprint while offering work to the people. Execution of the project under the job guarantee scheme would entail an expenditure of Rs.47 lakh, as per estimates.
The work
A programme has been chalked out to engage 2,160 workers belonging to four panchayats for the work. It has been estimated that 20,850 man days will have to be spent on the job. The work includes preparing the ground, making pits, planting saplings, and setting up tree guards to protect plants from animals or other harmful agents.
The project is being undertaken with the help of Kudumbasree, the Krishi Bhavan and Social Forestry Department. It is being implemented in the panchayats of Mararikkulam North, Mararikkulam South, Mannancherry and Aryad. Saplings of fruit trees such as mango, jackfruit, gooseberry, and guava have been selected for the programme. The planted saplings would have to be nurtured by the group of people engaged in the project. The workers and Kudumbasree members will have to take care of the plants for at least three years.
