As a part of its Green Tiruchi initiative, the Corporation, on Wednesday, launched a drive to plant 25,000 saplings in various residential colonies.
Unlike previous drives, the Corporation has identified volunteers, social and civic activists, students and residents’ welfare associations to water the plants and safeguard them.
A group of residents, mostly women, of a residents’ welfare association of R.S. Puram on Tiruchi-Pudukotttai highway planted a sapling near R.S. Puram public park in the presence of Corporation Commissioner N. Ravichandran, to mark the commencement of the saplings planting drive.
Simultaneously, members of 20 teams hand-picked by the Corporation planted saplings at 20 locations in the presence of officials.
Mr. Ravichandran said that the drive was aimed at increasing the green cover of the city. As per the plan, a sapling would be planted in front of every house in the city. The sapling would be given free of cost. In the first phase, it had been planned to plant 25,000 saplings. More than 1,000 saplings were planted on the first day on Wednesday.
Based on interest shown by the welfare associations, individuals and civic activists, a list had been identified to maintain the saplings. Since the saplings were planted in front of houses of identified persons, it would be easy for them to water them regularly. The saplings would be guarded with fence made of bamboo.
Mr. Ravichandran said residents of respective areas would be given the responsibility of nurturing, watering and safeguarding the saplings planted in front of their houses. The officials of Srirangam, K. Abishekapuram, Golden Rock and Ariyamangalam zones would monitor the growth of plants regularly.
He said that the drive would be expanded to other areas by identifying volunteers and interested persons. The Corporation would take steps to transform the green initiative drive as a people's movement.
