Massive drive to restore greenery along highways in delta districts

According to sources, as many as 22,000 trees were uprooted along several roads in Thanjavur, Tiruchy, Pudukkottai, Tiruvarur and Nagappattinam districts, which come under the control of Tiruchy circle of highways department. In Thanjavur district alone, 3,350 trees were lost during the cyclone havoc.

To compensate these losses and to restore the green cover, the department has decided to plant as many as 50,000 tree saplings on the road side in Thanjavur.

Similarly, 10,000 tree saplings will be planted in Tiruchy district, 20,000 in Pudukkottai district, 15,000 in Tiruvarur district and 20,000 in Nagappattinam. A total of 1.15 lakh saplings will be planted in the affected districts.

In Thanjavur district, the planting of saplings commenced at Enathy village near Pattukkottai and the drive was inaugurated by N Shanthi, chief engineer of Tamil Nadu highways department. Highways department officials said 12,000 Indian Beech tree (Pungai) saplings, 12,000 Bullet Wood (Magizham) saplings, 10,000 Tamarind (Puliyam) saplings, 8,000 Neem (Vembu) saplings, 6,000 Jamun (Naval) saplings, 1,000 Honey tree (Iluppai) saplings and 1,000 Fig tree (Aththi) saplings are to be planted in Thanjavur.

According to the officials, the drive would be carried out throughout the year. Road workers on the respective stretches would maintain the saplings.