In the run up to the World Environment Day, the district administration is headed on a sapling drive of native species that is likely to benefit from the south-west monsoon predicted for coming week here.
The administration has identified 10 to 15 species as compatible to the native soil. Tamarind will figure largely in the plantation drive. It has been chosen also to compensate for the felling of considerable number of trees for road expansion works.
Speaking to The Hindu , Collector K. Vivekanandan says, tamarind has been identified as suitable for the soil base. A massive plantation will be undertaken in the next few days to enable saplings to benefit from the monsoons, says the Collector.
The District Rural Development Agency has been entrusted with the massive plantation drive, especially of Tamarind in the run up to the World Environment Day.
A survey on rare, endangered, threatened flora and fauna was conducted jointly with the School Education department and the Forest Department here two years ago. The study had documented loss of over 10 species of flora over the years in the district, says Mr. Vivekanandan. In lieu of this, focus is not just any exotic planting, but of native species that is well adapted to the native soil condition and help revive flora that are locally extinct. They include Magizham (MimusopsElengi), Ramaseetha among other saplings, he says.
Among the other varieties that are considered is Bima Bamboo that is four times efficient in carbon sequestration than any other species. Bima Bamboo plantation will be taken up in traffic-riddled areas to contain pollution. In addition, plantation of drumsticks, guavas, papaya, amla both for their nutritional value is already being undertaken by the school education department.
The forest cover of the district has exceed 33 percent of the State’s average forest cover” says the Collector.
