As a part of measures to ensure the environment free from pollution and to provide green coverage, Forest Minister K.T.Pachaimal has launched a new scheme — planting of saplings on both sides of road throughout Kanyakumari district on Sunday.
The scheme, to be implemented by the Departments of Highways and Forest, was launched at Aralvoimozhi-Chenbagaramanputhur highway for balancing the global warming and to provide green cover in the district. Under the programme on both sides of national and State highways, one lakh saplings would be planted in the district. As announced during the 64th birthday celebration of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the Forest Department has decided to plant 64 lakh saplings throughout the State — 2,500 saplings along State and national highways.
District Forest Officer Ritto Cyriac, Divisional Engineer of Highways Chidambaram, Assistant Executive Engineers Raj Kumar and Bhaskaran among others participated in the function.
Earlier, the Minister distributed freebies to 1,315 beneficiaries at a function held at Kollenji panchayat on Saturday.
In his address, he pointed out that in the first phase, 70,000 beneficiaries would receive mixer-grinder-fan package as well as milch animals and goats. He also gave away milch cows to 10 tribal beneficiaries living in the Pechipparai area.
Mr. Pachaimal also inaugurated a newly-built part-time library at Nainaputhur in Pallamthurai panchayat. He also honoured 14 patrons of the library and he himself joined as a patron of the library by remitting Rs. 1,000.
