Nurturing nature:K. Sukumaran, former judge of the Kerala High Court, watering a sapling at Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary on World Environment Day on Sunday.

After the initial enthusiasm to plant saplings on June 5, the World Environment Day, fizzles out, majority of the saplings that are planted on the day die, making the greening drive a futile exercise.

This year, the Social Forestry wing of the Kerala Forest Department distributed 3.4 lakh saplings to the general public through various organisations including schools, NGOs and residents associations. The day also marked the planting of the saplings at all available places including the roadsides and public places.

The survival rate of saplings that were planted by the general public during the previous years was around 30 to 40 per cent and majority of them were destroyed, confided a senior official of the Forest Department.

The absence of proper maintenance mechanism and care leads to the early death of the saplings. Some may dry up in sun, get washed away in heavy rain or would be eaten by cattle. Without proper care and support, the saplings cannot survive.

The survival rate of saplings that were planted by the department was nearly 70 per cent, he said.

An event organised by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (Southern Region) at Kendreeya Vidyalaya was inaugurated by S.R.V. Murthy, Regional Deputy Director. Arul Krishna, Deputy Commissioner of Police, T.P. Pradeep, Inspector of the Bureau, and V.S. Sunil Kumar, Principal-in-Charge of the school, attended. M.G. Rajamanikyam, District Collector, inaugurated the planting of saplings and distributed the prizes to the winners of various competitions. K. Sukumaran, a former judge of the High Court of Kerala, planted a sapling at Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, to mark the occasion. Deputy Mayor T.J. Vinod also present.

Kochikoru Pookkuda

A project to plant one lakh saplings across Ernakulam district was launched at Vyttila Mobility Hub (VMH) on Saturday by VMH Society Managing Director R. Girija.

Titled Kochikoru Pookkuda (a floral umbrella for Kochi), the project is a joint effort of Better Kochi Response Group and a few private firms. It aims at lessening the temperature and pollution in Kochi.