The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `Nizhal' to take up cause of trees

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 22, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Nizhal' to take up cause of trees

P. Oppili

The organisation plans to conduct survey of green cover

GREEN CANOPY: Protecting tree cover in the metropolis, such as this area in Anna Nagar, is the mandate of the new organisation. — File photo

CHENNAI: Chennai now has an organisation to "speak for trees."

`Nizhal' (Shade)aims at spreading public awareness on the role and utility of trees in human lives and on the need to plant and care for trees for the benefit of society. This will help in developing knowledge on trees, including laws pertaining to trees in the urban setting.

At present, both the Government and non-governmental agencies are planting saplings in the city and in the suburbs. But it is not done in a systematic manner, say Nizhal office-bearers. Nizhal will make a study on the species of trees that can be planted in different localities and how they can survive.

Workshop for students

A few weeks ago, a workshop was held for students of a private school at Besant Nagar. At the end of the session, the students were asked to make a list of the number of trees in the area, collect samples of leaves and identify the species with the help of their teachers. The response "was amazing and the students produced a mine of information about the trees they saw," say the office-bearers.

The organisation also plans to take up a survey of trees on city roads. A guide for the survey has been prepared and distributed to participants.

According to the survey guide, the details to be collected include the location of the tree, its commonly known name, age, height and canopy, the circumference of tree trunks and its health. If the participant was not able to identify the species, then he should collect specimen of leaves, flowers, fruits in separate covers and its photograph.

Those who want to volunteer for Nizhal may contact Shoba Menon on 42045137 and e-mail: shobamenon@airtelbroadband.in

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