The Hindu : Front Page : Panel formed to increase tree cover

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Thursday, Nov 20, 2008
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Panel formed to increase tree cover

R. Rajaram

TIRUCHI: A district level inter-departmental coordination committee has been formed with the objective of increasing forest cover in Tiruchi by planting saplings on government land as well as on those belonging to institutions and industries.

Chaired by Collector T. Soundiah, the committee comprises officials of Forest, Agriculture, Rural Development, Irrigation, Public Works, Health and Revenue departments. District Forest Officer is member-secretary of the panel which will meet once in three months.

The move follows a directive from the government to all Collectors to constitute a coordination committee involving all departments.

The first meeting of the committee was held here a few days ago in which officials were asked to identify areas for planting of saplings.

Revenue poramboke, tank foreshores under the control of panchayats, vacant lands available with industrial estates, either sides of national highways, state highways and rural roads, temple lands and institutional lands are some of the places suggested for afforestation.

District Forest Officer D. Mani told The Hindu that a detailed scheme would be prepared after obtaining the available land.

The State Government had sanctioned Rs. 35.21 lakh to plant saplings in Tiruchi Corporation limits and suburban areas during 2008-09 under the Urban Afforestation Scheme as well as for maintenance of saplings planted last year in urban limits.

A total of 3,500 saplings of different species such as ‘vembu’, ‘pungan’, ‘naaval’, neem and ‘nelli’ would be planted before this fiscal end in Corporation limits with fencing, said Mr. Mani. The pitting and planting works would be done by the Forest Department. The Department had identified areas in the city and would commence the work after obtaining approval, he said.

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