Chennai: Chennai’s greenery was the biggest casualty of Cyclone Vardah, which pounded the city and its coast last week. With various estimates saying that more than 1 lakh trees were uprooted due to the ghastly winds, green activists and NGOs are on an overdrive to plant saplings in order to bring the lost greenery back to the metropolis.
The organisations together aim to plant nearly two lakh saplings in the city alone and another two lakh saplings in the neighbouring Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts in the next few months.
According to NGOs, planting saplings in the only way to regain the lost greenery as well guarding the city and its suburbs from natural calamities. A few NGOs are offering free saplings to those interested in planting them in their locality. Actor Raghava Lawrence, through his trust, has launched a tree plantation drive and has offered to provide free saplings to those in need. “All one need to do is to just call our trust at 9791500866 and ask for a sapling. It will be delivered to them,” his trust said.
Another NGO, Samiti for Education, Environment, Social & Health Action (SEESHA), will launch an ambitious programme on Wednesday to plant three lakh saplings in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts.
“This is the first step to rebuild city’s vegetation, with the support of resident associations and educational institutions. The teams have surveyed the cyclone-affected areas to identify the species of trees to be planted.
“Indigenous trees like Asoka, Tamarind, Punnai, Neem and Mango tree have been planted in 33 schools in these three districts and the drive will continue,” Dr Jeyakumar Daniel, Executive Director of Seesha, said.
Shobha Menon, founding member of Nizhal (Shadow), says inadequate tree health management system led to uprooting of trees and systematic measures like pruning will enhance the growth of the tree. “Nizhal will train the public in skills to nurture trees after planting,” she added.
The Forest Department, involved in clearing the fallen trees and branches from every nook and corner of the city, will soon initiate plans to bring the green canopy back.
