Madurai (PTI): With Kadamba tree (Common Cadamba) facing extinction in this temple city which is otherwise known as 'Kadamba Kshetram', centre for Kadamba trees, a programme has been launched to nurture the medicinal plant famous for its quality to release high doses of oxygen.

The programme, launched by administrators of Meenakshi temple here on Friday, aims to bring up the garden at a one acre land.

The unique feature of the tree, which is also the 'stala vriksha' (local tree) is that it could release plenty of oxygen good enough to revive even a dying person, Balasubramanian, a Siddha doctor said.

'A Kadamba tree is like a oxygen cylinder being used in hospitals', he said.

The temple history also says that Shiva Linga of Sundareswarar was found under a Kadamba tree.

Apart from creating Kadamba garden, the temple also planned to create 'nakshatra thottam' by planting 692 trees of 27 varieties, each representing a celestial star.

The progamme was launched by District Collector S S Jawahar by planting saplings on Friday.

Temple executive officer and Joint Commissioner B Raja said 108 saplings would be planted in one acre.

Meanwhile the temple authorities with the help of C P R Environment education centre also transplanted 'kalalamaram' (ficus tomentosa), a banyan tree variety, which was causing damage to the temple's West Tower.

The executive officer said that as the tree was very rare one the temple administration decided not to cut it. It has been uprooted and transplanted at the temple owned Koodal Sengulam estate. After a month the tree has survived and started blossoming, he said.