64 lakh seedlings to be distributed

Seminar, ‘Green Run’ to mark observance of World Environment Day

Saplings nurtured at the nurseries of Forest Department ready for distribution on World Environment Day on June 5.

The Forest Department is all set to distribute 64 lakh seedlings belonging to 83 plant species on World Environment Day on Wednesday. Fruit-bearing species comprise a major share of the seedlings that have been readied up at the nurseries across the State.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the World Environment Day observance at a function that will be held at the headquarters of the Forest Department. Various programmes have been lined up to mark the occasion.

Addressing media persons here on Monday, Forest Minister K. Raju has said 44.24% of the seedlings to be distributed among educational institutions, residents association, voluntary organisations, and others groups will be fruit-bearing species.

Ornamental species too

The others include ornamental species, timber species, medicinal varieties and erosion control plants. In addition, the department will distribute 3.2 lakh one-year-old, big-basket seedlings of various species for institutional planting.

Besides, the banks of the lake in Mattummal in Ponnani will be lined with 10,000 seedlings of mangrove species. The coastal areas of Ponnani will be firmed up with 14,000 seedlings of casuarina (‘kattadi’), a species known to effectively arrest soil erosion. Another 30,000 casuarina seedlings will be planted on the premises of the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, Kannur, on the same day.

High survival rate

According to Mr. Raju, the seedlings that were planted during the previous afforestation drives have witnessed a high survival rate. While 55% of the seedlings planted in 2016-17 have matured, 63% of those planted during the subsequent year remained intact.

Prior to the World Environment Day observance, a ‘Green Run’ will be taken out from the Kanakakkunnu Palace premises to the headquarters of the Forest Department to create awareness on the need to conserve environment. A seminar on biodiversity will also be organised at the PWD Rest House at Thycaud on the day. District-level programmes will also be organised to mark the occasion.