Kannur's artificial forest to save nature

KANNUR: In order to give a boost to the nature conservation campaign in the district, the Kannur district administration is planning to create an artificial forest by planting saplings. The project named ‘Smrithi Vanam’ will launch after the revenue department finds an apt land.

The district administration has also decided to plant over five lakh saplings in public places across the district during the environment week starting from June 5. Speaking to this newspaper, Kannur District Collector P. Bala Kiran said that the decision has been taken in order to give importance to the government’s efforts to the nature conservation.

“What we have found in the past is when a sapling is planted as part of conservation campaigns, either it would go unnoticed or gets removed during any works. We need to have a proper place for the trees to grow so that we can create a forest there,” he said.

The District Collector said that few places have been identified for the purpose. “The place should ideally be a land which the government won’t use for acquisition process or to cut trees for any projects,” he added. During the environment week, the administration will distribute saplings through social forestry department to various civic bodies. The project will implement with the co-operation of various departments and organisations from all walks of life.