The Hindu 28.08.2014
Corporation embarks on greening programme
The Tuticorin Corporation has embarked on a programme to increase greenery to maintain an eco-friendly environment. As part of the initiative, 20 saplings were planted in front of the corporation school on the Sivanthakulam Road here on Tuesday.
A team led by Pradeep V. Krishnakumar, City Health Officer, Tuticorin Corporation, and V. Hariganesh, Sanitary Inspector, planted saplings with protective shields.
Dr. Krishnakumar said afforestation would increase rainfall in drought-affected areas. “Our responsibility does not end with planting saplings, but watering the saplings every day is essential and people should bear it in mind,” he said.
If people came forward to grow trees such as ‘neem’, ‘pungai’, ‘banyan’ and other shade-tolerant species, the corporation would provide the saplings free of cost, he noted. The resident welfare associations of Muthammal Colony, Caldwell Colony and other areas of ward 34 had volunteered to plant a considerable number of saplings, he said. The objective was not only to cultivate more trees but also to weed out thorny shrub (Prosopis juliflora), which caused depletion of groundwater table.
Mr. Hariganesh said 3,000 tree saplings were planted last year.
