Green cover

A CHENNAI ensconced in a green umbrella. That is the goal of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) programme to paint Chennai green with sylvan surroundings. As a first step towards the goal, the Forest Department, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Friends of Beach Exnora (FOBE) have planted 50 saplings on Sixth Avenue, Besant Nagar at a gap of 20 feet, Mr. S. Sathyanarayan, President of FOBE said.

The plan is to plant about 200 saplings in a week in Besant Nagar area, says Mr. Sathyanarayanan who is also an Honorary Tree Warden. The grown saplings of Pungan, Poovarasan and Badam will soon grow to shield the area from dust, noise and air pollution.

The idea behind these trees is that they will not grow tall and unwieldy but will stand like an umbrella and withstand sea breeze. While beach beautifiers will water the trees, human tree guards from FOBE will keep an eye on the saplings, which are often targets of vandals. Each costs about Rs. 200, he said. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. Rakesh Vashist, and Fr. Bernard Lawrence, Parish Priest of Annai Velankanni Church, also helped planting the saplings today. In tandem with the Forest Department, Exnora and other NGOs will help identify locations where the trees can be planted.

By Akila Dinakar

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Section  : Southern States
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