Nature enthusiasts, forest department and college students trekked Kolli Hills on Wednesday in an effort to reforest the areas that were affected in forest fire on the hills, a few months ago and improve green cover here.
Members of WakeourLake.org, Pattikadu Pasumai Patarai and students of Kandhasamy Gounder College of Arts and Science joined hands to improve green cover at forest fire affected areas on Kolli Hills by throwing seed balls this monsoon.
The students of the college made about 30,000 seed balls in two days which was thrown in fire affected areas in the Hills.
Saravanan Thiyagarajan, Founder of ‘Wake our Lake’ said, “since the forest fire occurred in Kolli Hills, we have been contemplating ways to reforest the affected areas. Over the past few days, we worked towards making seed balls and throwing them in the Hills. Reforesting the Kolli Hills was very essential. In the fire, several birds lost their habitat and it affected the biodiversity in the area.”
A major forest fire occurred around the end of March in Kolli Hills and approximately 25 hectares of forest land was affected in the fire.
S. Gobi from Pattikadu Pasumai Pattarai said, “nearly 200 students were involved in making the seed balls on Monday and Tuesday. 30,000 seed balls were made and each ball consisted of two seeds of Neem and Tamrind.
On Wednesday, 100 persons including National Service Scheme members, volunteers and forest personnel were formed into teams and they threw the seed balls at forest fire affected areas here. We targeted to finish this programme before monsoon since it would favour growth of trees.”
The organisation is next planning a similar drive at Sarvamalai here.
