A total of 25,000 trees were planted in the district so far as part of Dindimavanam, greening Dindigul programme, said Collector T.G. Vinay.
Launching a tree plantation programme at ITI on Natham Road here on Monday, he said that the organisers had planned to plant one lakh saplings by September.
The district received 50 per cent of average rainfall during the northeast and the southwest monsoons. There were several appeals and demands to declare the district drought-hit one.
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Protection of forests was very essential. Tree planting programme and rainwater harvesting structure were the best activities to recharge groundwater as well improve groundwater sources and keep the surrounding green, he said.
Moreover, all members in each family should learn to use water judiciously. Such measure would limit use of water for all purposes, the collector advised.
Conservator of Forests Naganathan said that forests were created through droppings of birds. They created the real forests. Planting more plants in urban and rural areas would keep the atmosphere cool and bring down temperature, he added.
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About 5,000 saplings were planted on the campus of ITI, said organisers.