3 crore saplings to be planted: K Raju

KOLLAM: A total of 3 crore tree saplings will be planted across the state as part of World Environment Day, said minister for forest K. Raju.  He said this after conducting the state level inauguration of observing Environment Day at SN Public School in Vadakkevila here on Tuesday. “The forest department alone has distributed some 81 lakh saplings of which a majority are fruit trees. It has also been decided to avoid trees that excessively absorb from the soil,” Mr Raju added. 

Kollam city has been announced as ‘green city’ at the function. “The forest department will provide sufficient tree saplings to make the city a green city. The protection of mangroves along the shores of Ashtamudi Lake will also be ensured,” he added. Based on the reports by Forest survey of India, the forest cover of Kerala has been increased by more than 2 per cent. According to department of social forestry, the implementation of ‘Ente Maram’, ‘Nammude Maram’, ‘Vazhiyorathanal’, and other schemes have led the achievement. 

‘Haritha Theeram’, ‘Haritha Keralam’, protection of groves and mangroves have led way to the achievement. The social forestry department has distributed some 81 lakh tree saplings from 74 varieties in educational institutions. In all the districts, tree planting, environmental cleanliness awareness rallies, and various art programmes have been conducted as part of observing the day.