10,000 saplings planted in Madambakkam under civic body’s urban forest plan

According to a Corporation press release, the new forest would come up on a land parcel donated by RM Alagappa Chettiyar to the civic body in 1949. “Of the 33.30 acres of land, a hospital was constructed on 3,000 sqft in 2016. To safeguard the remaining land from encroachments, a decision was taken to plant 10,000 saplings of diverse varieties, at a cost of Rs 40 lakh,” the release added.

During an event on Monday, Corporation Commissioner G Prakash inaugurated the project by planting a sapling. In the first phase, 500 saplings of endemic species including mango, jackfruit, and coconut were planted. “The move will help reduce pollution and will boost bio-diversity,” the release added.

The civic body had planted 2,000 saplings of 40 varieties in Kotturpuram under Miyawaki method at a cost Rs 20 lakh to create an urban forest. Also, 762 saplings were planted at a cost of Rs 8.72 lakh in 

Royala Nagar in Valasaravakkam. Tenders have been floated to create an urban forest in Manali as the civic body envisages the creation of one urban forest in each of the 15 zones.