TN green cover to grow with 64 lakh saplings

CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday inaugurated a scheme to plant 64 lakh saplings across Tamil Nadu.She kicked off the scheme by planting a banyan sapling in the Corporation park located in front of the State Secretariat. With a view to increase the forest cover and to safeguard bio-diversity in the State, the government has been taking various steps. Due to the ever-increasing number of vehicles and urbanisation, air pollution is going up. To achieve the national target of bringing one-third of the land under green cover, the CM directed that a massive scheme be implemented, official sources said. It has been decided to plant two lakh saplings in every district. The saplings will be planted at a cost of `30 crore in the premises of schools and colleges, office complexes of government and private establishments, factories and roadsides.Saplings of traditional trees of Tamil Nadu— Neem, Pungai, Iluppai, Punnai, Vagai, Naatu Rudraksham, Shenbagam, Magaizham, Thanga Arali, Nagalingam, Kadambam and Kadukkai would be planted.  The scheme is expected to be completed within two months. Chennai Mayor S Duraisamy, Minister for Forests, KT Pachamal and top officials were among those present in the function.