COIMBATORE: Planting of hundreds of tree saplings, conducting a tree survey, desilting of Ukkadam Lake and launch of a nationwide campaign against food wastage marked World Environment Day in the city on Wednesday.
While major green organizations were engaged in a tree survey to protect the remaining lung space of the city, Siruthuli and Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC) continued their work of desilting Ukkadam Lake. They have decided to hold the formal celebration of the event later.
"We continued the desilting work today. The work is reaching its final stage and we will soon dedicate the renovated lake to the city,'' said R Raveendran of RAAC.
Isha Foundaton launched its Project GreenHands to plant 40 lakh saplings this year. Challenger Durai MLA planted the first sapling and officially marked the launch. He said ecological protection is the need of the hour and praised Isha's project for its work in raising environmental awareness and facilitating the planting of a total of 1.7 crore trees.
Planting of trees in Erode district under the same programme was launched by district collector Dr V K Shanmugam. He also stressed the importance of planting more trees to face the challenge of global warming.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with city-based Environment Conservation Group has initiated a project titled 'Greenup the Highways of Coimbatore' on the occasion. Hundreds of tree saplings were planted on both sides of the highways between Chinniyampalayam and Nilambur. More trees would be planted on either side of the national and state highways passing through the region.
Assistant police commissioner P Chandramohan, national highway divisional engineer G Manunethi, Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital director Dr Nalla G Palaniswami, CII Coimbatore zonal chairman S K Sundararaman and CII vice-chairman K Ilango led the tree planting drive.
Many industrial houses in the city have come forward to create protection cover for plants and ensure their safe keep. "It is just the beginning. We would continue planting more trees on either side of all highways in Coimbatore to ensure healthy green cover. It is high-time to give back to nature,'' said Sundararaman.
City-based CRI Pumps has launched a nationwide campaign against food wastage on World Environment Day. Awareness notices were distributed across the city with the theme 'Food wastage is the major contributor to climate change.'
