Fruit trees to be planted across the district under Nattilengum Thenkani project
Mayor Soumini Jain planting a sapling of sandalwood tree on the Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary campus at an event organised jointly by the Kochi Corporation and the Forest Department to mark World Environment Day on Tuesday.
Replacing an acacia tree with the seedling of golden shower tree marked the formal launch of World Environment Day celebrations in the district.
The State government had earlier decided to replace acacia trees with endemic fruit trees as the former species was found causing health hazards. The sapling of golden shower tree was planted at Kavalapara Mangium plantation located near Kothamangalam.
S. Unnikrishnan, Divisional Forest Officer, inaugurated the programme.
The department plans to plant the seedlings of fruit trees in 68 hectare. As many as 60,000 seedlings of trees belonging to around 40 species will be planted with the support of NCC cadets and volunteers of the National Service Scheme. Various organisations will take part in the planting of saplings.
The wood of the more than 20-year-old acacia trees that were cut down was handed over to Hindustan Newsprint Limited.
The Kochi Corporation and the State Forest Department jointly organised an event at Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary to mark the day. Mayor Soumini Jain planted a sapling of sandalwood tree on the campus. K. Sukumaran, former judge of the Kerala High Court, presided over the meeting.
‘Save waterbodies’
District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla called for the protection of environment for ensuring sustainable development.
He was delivering the inaugural address at the launch of Nattilengum Thenkani and district-level planting of saplings in connection with World Environment Day at Edappally block panchayat hall on Tuesday.
Many waterbodies have turned into dumping grounds for plastic waste. People should come forward for protecting these waterbodies by reducing the usage of plastic.
Under the Nattilengum Thenkani project, fruit trees will be planted across the district under the aegis of the district administration and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.
The Collector also distributed seeds to school students as part of the project aimed at harvesting vegetables during this Onam. The event was held with the slogan ‘give up plastic and save the society.’
Electric buggies
Three electric buggies were launched at Ernakulam Junction Railway Station on Tuesday to promote eco-friendly transport within its premises, in connection with World Environment Day.
Former Mayor and heritage enthusiast K.J. Sohan launched the buggies which can carry three people at a time.
The battery-operated carts that are cost effective and easily manoeuvrable were introduced as a joint initiative of Southern Railway and Maini Materials Movement.
In the meantime, a kayaking expedition was taken out from Bolghatty Island to Marine Drive, to create a greener, cleaner earth, under the auspices of Kerala Tourism and Ernakulam DTPC.
Article Source: The Hindu