The Hindu Green Reader Initiative takes off on World Environment Day

Member of Parliament Kanimozhi waters a sapling planted by her in The Hindu office in Chennai on the occasion of World Environment Day on Saturday. Applauding are A. Subramanian, CGM, BSNL, Chennai Telephones, (right); Poongothai Aladi Aruna, Tamil Nadu IT Minister, and G.R.K. Reddy, CMD, MARG Group (second from left). Photo:R Ragu

The Hindu Green Reader Initiative took roots, literally, on Saturday morning, with Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi and Tamil Nadu Information Technology Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna planting five saplings at The Hindu campus on Anna Salai in Chennai.

In a simple and brief ceremony early on Saturday, the chief guests were accompanied by representatives of the two organisations supporting The Hindu Green Reader Initiative — BSNL-Chennai Telephones & Tamil Nadu Telecom Circle, and MARG. A. Subramanian, Chief General Manager, BSNL- Chennai Telephones, and Managing Director of MARG Limited G.R.K. Reddy assisted the guests in planting the saplings, Mimusops elengi (commonly known as Maghizham) and Azadirachta indica (neem).

The effort is being undertaken as part of

The Hindu' s corporate social responsibility. It has resolved to “plant one tree for every copy of newspaper printed (on June 5).” The trees would be planted over the next three years.

Speaking about his company's involvement with the project, Mr. Reddy said, “Basically we are into building new ecosystems. Our project is to develop urban housing as an environmentally-conscious and sustainable place. We are incorporating, at the planning level itself, environment conservation methods. So

The Hindu 's initiative ties in with our vision for new urbanisation.”

The saplings were sourced from the Urban Forestry Division, Chennai.