Govt will plant one million trees within an hour on June 5, World Environment Day
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
Thiruvananthapuram: The State Government, in a massive afforestation drive, will plant one million trees within an hour on June 5, World Environment Day. The ‘one million tree’ project, ‘Harithasree’, has been taken up as part of the Participatory Environment Action Programme.
“The programme is built on the concept of ‘One Man One Tree’,” a top Forest Department official said. “The hope is that the programme will evolve into a major plant and nurture initiative,” the official said.
Harithasree cooperatives, made up of members of Kudumbashree, biodiversity clubs, residents associations and NGOs will be constituted for the nurture of the saplings that will be planted on the day.
The Social Forestry division of the Forest Department has supplied the saplings to schools and colleges across the state. Each sapling costs Rs 8. The trees which would be planted are mango, jack fruit, mahagony, Kudampuli (Malabar tamarind), Koovalam (aegle marmelos), Chamata (palash) and Zapota.
The District Collector will oversee the planting in each district. The Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) will be the coordinating officer. “The Collector and the ACF will enlist the support of the local bodies, residents associations, sacred grove owners and religious leaders for the planting and subsequent upkeep of the saplings,” the forest official said.
Participating organizations like Kudumbashree and NGOs will also be asked to come out with a strategic plan on ways to tend the saplings. Schools and colleges have already intimated the District Collectors and ACFs concerned about the number of seedlings required.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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